Coleman looking to press World Cup claims in the west

Mon, Aug 5, 2019, 5:27 AM
Iain Payten
by Iain Payten
Adam Coleman is hoping to force his way back into the Wallabies side this weekend. Photo: Getty Images
Adam Coleman is hoping to force his way back into the Wallabies side this weekend. Photo: Getty Images

Adam Coleman used Perth as a launching pad to a Wallaby jersey in 2016 and in his first return west since the Force’s axing, he’ll look to do the same again this week.

Coleman has returned to the Wallabies’ squad after recovering from the latest in a frustrating string of injuries in 2019.

The big Rebels lock fractured his scapula in June playing against the Crusaders and then picked up a calf injury on the rehab trail. He’d battled shoulder and calf injuries earlier in the season, too.

But Coleman is back on deck for Australia and is in contention for the opening Bledisloe Cup clash, and not a minute too soon.

The Wallabies have been running a settled locking trio of Rory Arnold and Izack Rodda, with Rob Simmons off the bench, and though Coleman has been a Test starter for the past few seasons, after an injury-affected year he knows he has to press his World Cup claims in a short space of time.

Adam Coleman will travel to Sydney. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley"I haven’t played that much footy this year, I’ve been unlucky with injury, so I would have preferred to play to be honest,” Coleman said. 

“The calf pushed me back a week or two. I’m back now and that is what matters and I’ve got to make sure I make the most of my time while I’m in camp. 

"Obviously I’d love to play this week but I’ve got to get through a week of training with the boys and just put my best foot forward. The other locks are really playing well. Isaac and Rory and Simmo off the bench, they’re really competing and putting on good performances.

"It’s exciting to see the depth in Australian rugby and just to see the guys competing. There’s so much competition within the squad not only in the locks but throughout various positions now. It’s getting to that crunch time where selections are going to have to be very tough for Cheik and that’s a good thing for Australian rugby."

Available seats on a plane to the World Cup become awfully tight when it comes to naming a final 31-man squad, and though it’s hard to see a fully-fit and firing Coleman not going to Japan, the threat is a good driving force.

Adam Coleman has stepped up this season. Photo: Getty ImagesJust as he did when he was a younger Western Force lock trying to earn a Wallabies spot, Coleman says he welcomes the chance to prove himself.

"It’s a great opportunity to make sure I keep improving as a player but also just keep competition. I can’t say it enough – competition at training goes a long way onto playing on the weekend,” Coleman said.

"I know if my body is right and I’m enjoying my time in camp my football goes a long way. 

"I love competition at the highest level and against the best. Seeing the boys perform last week really gave me that itch to get back in the squad and fight for a gold jersey again.”

Dane Haylett-Petty is another ex-Force player keen to impress this weekend in his hometown.

Haylett-Petty is another whose versatility means he’s a very strong chance to go to Tokyo but the 30-year-old said unprecedented competition for spots means no-one is assured, and that’s a good thing.


"When you have this much competition, this is obviously the most depth we have had,” Haylett-Petty 

“Guys have come back (from overseas) and some guys have had really good breakout seasons. I think depth is definitely now, it’s about fighting for spots. 

"In most positions there are a lot of good players and its about whoever is in form should get picked and I am sure there will be consistency (of selection) throughout the World Cup, and leading into it.

"I think you’ve seen every team try things and combinations and change some tactics through these first couple of rounds. 

"I think you’ll see it through the whole Rugby Championship teams continuing to do that and probably not show their hands too early this year but you want to go into that World Cup and those pool games which are crucial and with form and a lot of belief and momentum. These next couple of weeks are crucial.”

Both Coleman and Haylett-Petty are relishing the return to Perth, where they played before the Western Force were shut down in 2017.

Dane Haylett-Petty is one player that could be on the open market if Super Rugby news goes against the Force. Photo: Getty ImagesUnlike the Wallabies’ last visit two years ago, which came at the very same time of the Force’s axing and saw an emotional response from fans, the sentiment this week has been overwhelming positive for the Aussie team.

Asked if he thought the Perth community had moved on and would give the Wallabies a good reception on Saturday night, Coleman said: "I think already we have had a good reception. 

"The fan day yesterday was awesome to see how many Force fans are here and also Wallabies fans. The turnout yesterday was unreal and it was good to see some of my family here and some familiar faces, the Force fans always come out and see us,” he added. 

"It is something that is always going to be there and it was a tough day for everyone in Western Australia. 

"But you have to move forward. If you are lingering too much in the past it can weigh you down a little bit. The Force are still here but in a different aspect, not in Super Rugby. It was great to be here yesterday. 

"It is actually my first time back since the Force were cut and was just great to be back and to see everyone that had showed up when we were playing here.”

The Western Force play a Rapid Rugby clash on Friday night against Malaysia Valke at HBF Park.

The Wallabies take on New Zealand at Optus Stadium, Perth, on Saturday August 10, kicking off at 5;45pm local, 7;45pm AEST, with the Wallaroos-Black Ferns kicking off at 3pm local, 5pm AEST. The Wallabies are LIVE on Network Ten, FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and RUGBY.com.au RADIO while the Wallaroos will be shown on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.

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