A lot has changed since the last time Dave Porecki pulled on the gold jersey, even if it was less than two years ago.
There's a new coach, a new captain, and almost a completely fresh playing group that the hooker finds himself in for the one-off Test against Fiji in Newcastle.
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Porecki was captain for the final three games of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, admitting he had noticed the shift since then as the group assembles in Sydney.
“It's a different time. A lot has happened since then,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“It's a completely new group as well so that's the most exciting thing for me. It's a different energy to the one the last time I was in.”
Porecki missed the entirety of the 2024 season due to an Achilles injury that had him contemplating retirement.
A calf injury sidelined him for the majority of this year’s Super Rugby season, but a strong final month for the NSW Waratahs earned the 32-year-old a recall.
“Last year was difficult for me missing most of the year but I’ve worked pretty hard and it’s a credit to the medical teams for getting it all right,’ he admits.
“I feel good and [the] body feels in a good place now and ready to just rip in and I think for me, it's that consistency in training and putting your best foot forward, then that's how you get your best performances.
Porecki was around the squad before the Spring Tour, before choosing to leave for the birth of his twins.
Now, the Waratahs hooker is itching to return to the Test squad and play under Joe Schmidt.
“I think just from watching the games last year, you could see the improvement the team made and how well connected everyone was,” Porecki notes.
“…You want to be playing the pinnacle, and if you're missing out on it, it's tough to watch, but at the same time, performances are what get you here.
“ It's obviously a gigantic event and one you want to be a part of, but in saying that, you want always to be a part of the Wallabies. There's obviously a build-up and an added buzz this year, but just excited to be here now. I'm looking forward to ripping in.”
