Former All Black in line for Wallabies debut against Boks
SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies have welcomed former All Black Aidan Ross into their ranks, with Zane Nonggorr likening the veteran loosehead prop to an extra coach for the side.
Set to square off against the most formidable pack in world rugby when they face South Africa in their Rugby Championship clash in Johannesburg on Sunday, coach Joe Schmidt has Ross poised to make his Wallabies debut.
Schmidt will name his matchday squad late on Thursday, with James O’Connor set for a shock return at flyhalf, playing his first Test since 2022.
Born in Gosford, Ross moved to Tauranga on New Zealand’s North Island when he was eight and went on to play 101 Super Rugby matches with the Chiefs.
Lining up for his lone All Blacks Test against Ireland in 2022, he fulfilled World Rugby’s three-year gap between Tests to switch allegiance, and the 29-year-old is now in the mix to wear a Wallabies jersey against the world champions.
Whether he does or not this week, 10-cap Nonggorr said Ross had already proven an asset for the Australians.
“‘Big Horse’, he’s a pretty no-nonsense kind of bloke, he gets about his work very diligently, and he’s definitely pushing his name forward [for selection],” 24-year-old Nonggorr said of his new Reds teammate.
“He’s on task at all times, and if you drop your standards, he’ll let you know.
“But he’s also a very good coach for someone going against him, and he gave me some pointers when we were doing our training in Sydney, and I’m very grateful for that.
“He’s a very no-nonsense kind of bloke and someone that you just love to have in the team.”
Zonggorr said the Springboks were an aspirational pack that the Wallabies were using to model themselves on.
“Their depth and just their intent, that’s something that we’re hopefully building as a squad in the Wallabies,” he said.
“Boys can come into the squad and you don’t miss a beat, so that’s something we’re trying to build here, and I think we’re building well.”
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Nonggorr and fellow Wallaby Tom Hooper both made their Test debut on Australia’s last visit to the republic, taking on the Springboks in Pretoria in 2023.
There are eight other current Wallabies players from that match, which was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Winger Marika Koroibete dived over after just seven minutes, but an ill-disciplined display saw two Wallabies yellow-carded as the home side piled on 43 unanswered points, including a Kurt-Lee Arendse hat-trick.
Former Wallabies flyhalf Carter Gordon scored their second try after the siren.
Hooper said it was special to continue his journey with Nonggorr, but hoped for a different outcome this time around.
“It’s definitely special to be back here together with ‘Baby Bear’ [Nonggorr],” he said.
“It’s a full-circle moment, back here in the exact same hotel, hopefully getting a different result on the weekend.”
Hooper said he felt much better prepared for his second Test on the Highveld.
“If I’m being honest, back then I was probably a boy,” said Hooper, also 24.
“I’m not saying I’m a full-grown man – I can’t grow a beard like Zane can – but I’ve definitely had a bit of professional footy under my belt and it helps, every bit of time in the saddle.”
