As one of a string of players who were rested for the Wallabies win over the USA Eagles in Chicago on the weekend, Drew Mitchell is looking forward to getting to the UK and contributing to Australia’s 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign.
“With us being here at Notre Dame where there’s been some pretty intense training, I think come Sunday when we get on the plane and head over towards the UK, that’s when it’s probably going to sink in that we are about to play in another World Cup.”
With the eyes of the sporting world set to turn its attention to the Rugby World Cup commencing in just over a week, Mitchell is looking forward to playing in his third World Cup.
“I’m certainly aware that I’m going off to my third but I think from past experience that it doesn’t really feel like the World Cup till you land in the place where it’s being hosted.
“I think because the atmosphere and every town and city gets right behind it, that it’s very hard to not know otherwise.
You just know you’re at a World Cup, there’s a lot of buildup, a lot of atmosphere, just a lot of interest in Rugby.”
Having made the decision to play in France in 2013 with the knowledge that he would be ineligible for World Cup selection, a change in ARU policy earlier this year saw Mitchell named in the Wallabies squad.
“I think with my decision to go to France and play, I thought this opportunity was lost and even though I’ve been playing footy, I didn’t think the third one was realistic. So certainly happy to be back.”
Mitchell is looking forward to seeing what the UK turns on for the visiting teams and fans, having enjoyed a few Hakas during the last World Cup in New Zealand.
“When you play in a World Cup and certainly when we played in France 2007 they certainly try and show you their culture and let you be a part of it. We were all going around with berets that they gave us for that World Cup and perhaps we get the police hard hats here in England or something, I’m not sure.
“I quite enjoy the fact that the countries, hosting nations, get an opportunity to really showcase their culture and things that they have on offer and we were fortunate enough to stand in front of a fair few Hakas at the last World Cup.
“I’m not too sure exactly what it’s going to be this time but I think we’re just looking forward to everything.”
The Wallabies will take on Fiji in their first round match on the 23rd of September at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
