Haylett-Petty with World Cup point to prove

Fri, Aug 30, 2019, 6:50 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Dane Haylett-Petty feels he has somewhat of a point to prove ahead of the World Cup. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
Dane Haylett-Petty feels he has somewhat of a point to prove ahead of the World Cup. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

Wallabies fullback Dane Haylett-Petty has something to prove in the weeks leading into the World up but he isn’t letting the increased competition for spots rattle him ahead of Japan.

The outside back came into the 2019 season as a fixture of the Test side, having played every match last year, but he has featured just once this year.

Haylett-Petty started on the wing in the Wallabies’ season opener in Johannesburg but played well below his best that day and he has not featured in the 23 since.

Aside from injury, it has been rare to see Haylett-Petty even on the pine, let alone out of the 23 altogether since his 2016 debut.

The 30-year-old has started in all but one Test that he has featured in since that first cap, coming off the bench against Italy last year, such has been his dependability in the Test arena.

Australian selectors preferred Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete and Reece Hodge as their back three through the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup, leaving Haylett-Petty with some work to do.

Even without Brumbies fullback Tom Banks in the mix, the competition for outside back spots is fierce.Dane Haylett-Petty knocked the ball on over the line in Johannesburg. Photo: Getty Images

Haylett-Petty said that competition was a good thing for the squad as they head into the biggest tournament of the past four years.

“A lot of competition which is always good, good for the team, we're pushing each other every day at training,” he said.

“Obviously would like to get back into the playing squad and hopefully get an opportunity over the next couple of weeks but it's good for the team and we've got one goal in mind and that's to win the world cup in two or three months' time.”

Game time in may not be the only indicator of the Wallabies’ pecking order with selectors keen to see all their contenders play - Adam Ashley-Cooper was named in the World Cup squad off just one bench appearance - but Haylett-Petty said he wouldn’t rest in his push to return to the 23.

“Yeah maybe a little bit of a point to prove,” he said.

“I suppose I think Cheik knows what I'm capable of, I played every game last year and I’ve been able to play consistently so I think he knows what I'm capable of and I will keep working to try and get back out there.

"I've been training well and I'm in really good shape, had a bit of time to work on the body and looking forward to getting back out there at some point and doing my bit for the team."

Dane Haylett-Petty poses at the Sofitel Brisbane Central ahead of his Test debut. Photo: ARU Media/Stu WalmsleyEven having a spot on the plane heading to Japan, though, is a far cry from where Haylett-Petty was four years ago, not really even in the Wallabies frame.

The then 25-year-old had been back in Australia for two seasons after a stint in France but was yet to make a serious Super Rugby impact.

When the Wallabies were in England pushing towards a Rugby World Cup final berth, he was training in the USA, keeping an eye on their progress with the dream of his own World Cup berth still lingering in the back of his mind.

“In 2015, I was training in America, I went over for a bit, spent six weeks over there and was training hard but keeping an eye on how they went,” he said.

“It was pretty amazing to see the journey then and to see the whole country get behind the boys last time and I know it'll be the same.

A breakout 2016 put him on the path to the 2019 Rugby World Cup but he said it wasn’t something he had ever thought inevitable.

“No, I didn't think I’d be here at all,”he said.

“For a long time I dreamed of being a part of the Wallabies and going to a World Cup but back then I don't know if I thought I'd be here but obviously really happy to be here.”

The Wallabies return to Australia next Wednesday ahead of their final pre-World Cup Test against Samoa in Parramatta.

Australia takes on Samoa on Saturday September 7 at Bankwest Stadium Parramatta, kicking off at 7:30pm AEST, LIVE on Foxtel, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.

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