Palu 'itching' for Tri-Nations action
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:04
Wallaby wrecking ball No.8 Wycliff Palu says his injury-enforced lay-off has made him hungry to be let loose on the inconsistent All Blacks later this month.
Palu injured his left hand during the Super 14 but he declared himself physically and mentally refreshed after making his comeback in Sydney club rugby at the weekend.
"[In] the Super 14 my body got battered and bruised a bit so it's good to kind of get a bit of time off and mentally refreshed and physically refreshed, " Palu told AAP.
"I'm pretty hungry to get back in there and, if I get the opportunity, I'm not going to take it for granted.
"It was up to me to get myself right so I'll be pretty confident that I'll be fine."
The 26-year-old met with Australia coach Robbie Deans last week, but said the coach was giving little away, however, he is expected to be named on in a 30-man Australian squad on Thursday.
"He just told me to try to get fit and try to get as much game time as I can and it was good to get 80 minutes out last week," he said.
"I wouldn't say I'm confident [of being named] but you just never know.
"I think the team's been going pretty well so it will be pretty hard to crack the squad."
Palu's return will bolster the Wallabies' depth at No.8, the position flank George Smith was forced to cover with in-form Richard Brown the only specialist.
"I think that goes to show how close it is amongst the back row," Palu said.
"You get injured and you give someone else a chance and Richard Brown's taken the No.8 and he's played well every time he's worn the Australian jersey, so it's up to me to try and take it off him."
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