'Honest' Ben up for the challenge
Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:08
French fried: Robbie Deans preparing the Wallabies for Paris
Wallabies prop Ben Alexander has experienced a meteoric rise in rugby from being a regular Brumbies reserve, to a Test player who will get his second starting international against France on Saturday.
When he played against Italy in Padova two weeks ago they knew very little of him, and it wasn't surprising that Alexander became a midfield weapon, being involved in several enthusiastic midfield bursts.
But the burly prop reveals that he just wants to put in an honest prop's performance at Stade de France this Saturday.
"I wasn't really expecting them last time so I'll just be worrying about my other jobs first - my scrummaging and combating the French aggression early on. That will be my focus," Alexander told the media at the team's base in France.
"Running, if it happens, it happens. I'll just worry about our set piece and laying another platform that we've done reasonably well the last two weeks.
"This is my third time against the French so maybe they're the only team that knows my name."
Alexander is one of four changes to the Australian pack which triumphed at Twickenham, with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans using the opportunity to rest several forwards - including prop Benn Robinson, who had started 11 of the 12 Tests this season.
Alexander admits that he was shocked to get a start again after the Wallaby pack's perfprmemnce against England.
"I was extremely surprised when I found out they were making any changes at all to the forward pack," Alexander said.
"They deserve every accolade they got last week, the front three, the whole forward pack.
"Hopefully we can put another performance on because that's put a lot of pressure on me - Robbo coming off such a good game
"If I don't perform, then I can kiss any more chances goodbye because he's put the runs on the board and now it's my turn to reply."
