Scott Fardy's blood barometer

Thu, Jun 2, 2016, 7:57 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Scott Fardy throws his body well and truly on the line. Photo: ARU Media/Stu Walmsley
Scott Fardy throws his body well and truly on the line. Photo: ARU Media/Stu Walmsley

Generally if something bleeds, that means you can kill it, but for Wallabies flanker Scott Fardy a bit of blood might just make the Wallabies stronger.

Fardy’s tendency to open up has become somewhat folklore among the Test camp, though he’s by no means the only player to require extra bandages in training, with even captain Stephen Moore cracking a joke about it.

“I’d be surprised if he doesn’t hit his head on a corner or something and need a dozen stitches,” he laughed.

“I think he’s in the hundreds (in stitches) he was telling me the other day, he added them up recently and he’s into the hundreds so I think there’s something wrong with his skin.”

While the backrower wants to preserve himself a little, it may be that his pain spells Wallabies glory.

“We always win if I bleed so it’s a good sign if I’m bleeding but I’m hoping not to get too cut up this series,” he joked.

While he mightn’t want to add to his tally of stitches, Fardy’s intense competitive drive will only grow, with an influx of backrowers in contention for the series.

Scott Fardy is feeling the competition from Australia's next generation of backrowers. Photo: ARU Media/Brian HookFardy, Michael Hooper and David Pocock are the incumbents in what was a superb back row at the World Cup, but they are being well and truly challenged by the incredible depth in Australian backrowers.

Sean McMahon’s raw aggression and endless energy propelled him into cult status last season and Ben McCalman’s consistency often gets overlooked when talking about the Wallabies backrow.

Add to that enigmatic addition Leroy Houston and the returning Reds flanker Liam Gill, though he is heading to France in 2017, and there’s no room for last year’s starting trio to be complacent.

“Seany’s a fantastic player,” he said.

“I’ve enjoyed playing against him and playing with him as well so looking forward to seeing him operate in this camp.

“Liam Gill’s another one who is playing great footy and obviously the incumbents have been there before but all quality backrowers in the country at the moment.

“It’s going to motivate me every day at training, I’ve got to be better and better.

“You’re trying to play for your country, you don’t need much more motivation than that.”

Share
Defiant Waratahs still upbeat after run of near misses
Rebels rally behind Tupou after slow start
Big boost for ailing Crusaders as Chiefs rest McKenzie
Super Rugby Women's Team of the Week: Looking at the best players from Round Two