Former Wallabies lock Justin Harrison has done something members of the current squad can only dream of – taken a drink from the Bledisloe Cup.
Harrison met the All Blacks six times in his 34-test career, beating the men in black on four of those occasions.
“We certainly lost the dancing comp before the game but we won more stuff on the field,” Harrison said during his appearance on the Fox Rugby Podcast.
Harrison chimed in on the current state of rugby in Australia and also gave insight into an old tradition.
“Knowing exactly how many cans of beer go into filling up the Bledisloe Cup is unfortunately not something that many Wallabies probably know at the moment,” Harrison said.
“It’s about 25 — just over a case.”
The Wallabies have gone 16 years without holding the Bledisloe, a record drought that began after the snapping of a five-year Wallaby reign.
Harrison experienced that success as part of the side from 2001 to 2004, and is now hoping to experience success off the field after succeeding Stephen Hoiles as general manager of the Classic Wallabies.
“That ‘ex’ word is too traumatic I feel — once you’re a Wallaby you’re always a Wallaby, whether you’re lacing or not,” Harrison said.
“The main objective is to keep them connected and that golden thread running through us all alive.
“And it’s not ring fenced to Wallabies or national reps — there’s a lot of other people connected that make this the great sport it is.
“So it’s facilitating a group of people that can engage the community, the alumni.
“You’re risking your life, pretty much, to play, and dedicating the formative part of your life to sport, to entertaining others.
“We’re not a welfare or a charity — we’re a group of men and women who have a real requirement to stay connected.
“The Classic Wallabies will play a very important role in galvanising that strategic alignment around those areas and making sure everyone’s embraced from top to bottom.”
44-year-old Harrison also spoke about his famous series-clinching lineout steal against the Lions that he made while on debut in 2001.
“Here’s a fact that not many people will believe, given what they’ve seen me do most often, but I didn’t drink for 48 hours after that Test — not a drop,” Harrison said.
“Because I was told by everyone how quickly it goes and you’ve got to remember every minute.
“I was terrified of getting on the beers because I didn’t want to have that forgetful part where you lose time, if you have too many beers and that hangover.
“So I just wanted to be awake and aware for as long as possible.
“I certainly made up for it in the 49th hour but up until then, that’s probably one of the most vivid memories of my life, those two days after the Test.”
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