Douglas desperate to prove a point

Thu, Sep 14, 2017, 7:02 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Kane Douglas is keen to make his mark for City. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
Kane Douglas is keen to make his mark for City. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

Kane Douglas is back in Brisbane City colours and ready to show both Michael Cheika and Nick Stiles he has what it takes to figure in their plans in 2018 and beyond.

Douglas was omitted from Cheika's Wallabies squad this week, with fellow Reds lock Lukhan Tui taking his spot in the squad.

Cheika has sent him back to the NRC to get some much needed game time in his legs and Douglas is ready to rip in.

"We had a good chat before I left and he (Cheika) just said it would be a good chance for me to play some footy, which I haven't been doing much," Douglas said.

"It's a hard environment when I was probably sitting fifth string at the Wallabies and you need some game time, you need some footy to be able to show him that I'm up to it.


"It would be great to still be in that environment but I'm glad I'm home, I'm with my family and I get to play some footy, so that's a plus."

The 28-year-old was displaced by Tui and fellow young gun Izack Rodda for the majority of the year but he's determined to show Stiles he can add value to a squad looking to make the leap in 2018.

"Obviously there are the two boys that are in the Wallabies mix at the moment and then there are a couple of young guys as well, so there is probably going to be five locks, I reckon, that will be up to it next year," Douglas said.

"I've got to play some footy and show Stilesy and the other coaches why they should pick me."

While the younger brigade have displaced him, for now, Douglas took a very positive take on their breakout seasons.

"I'm a bit of a fence sitter, I've actually enjoyed watching them play and improve," he said.Douglas has enjoyed his time in Wallabies camp. Photo: ARU Media"Obviously I want to be there so it's been sort of, a little bit hard but I'm not one to sit there and moan.

"I get up for training and want to put smiles on faces.

"I want to make people laugh and be a bit of a larrikin around the place.

"I've got a task on my hands to try and get a spot back next year or to get back in the Wallabies fold, if I can."

Douglas' inclusion in the initial Rugby Championship squad came as a surprise to most and the lock said his time in camp had proved invaluable.

"It's good to feel wanted and I have definitely had some fun, being back involved," he said.

"Watching the other boys play, watching them play Test match footy, you sort of see them in that team and how they're playing and what I need to do.

"I guess you could say it has revitalised some ambition in my own game."

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