Code-hopper's first touch in Test rugby union 'pretty much what dreams are made of'
Winger Tom Wright had to bide his time for a Test debut under new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie but needed only two minutes to make an impression against the All Blacks.
The 23-year-old Brumbies player had visualised his first involvement in the days leading up to Saturday’s 24-22 win at Suncorp Stadium, but could scarcely believe his luck when the moment came a few metres from the goal-line.
A set play from a lineout saw five-eighth Reece Hodge place a chip kick in the path of Tom Banks who ran onto the ball and flung a pass out wide to Wright.
With cool composure, Wright wrongfooted opposing winger Sevu Reece and cantered over for a try with his first touch in Test rugby.
“Obviously that’s pretty much what dreams are made of,” Wright said.
“When it gets put on a platter for you like that, it doesn’t get much better.”
Having opened the scoring, nothing was going to prevent Wright from savouring a fine debut, not even the shoulder of Ofa Tu’ungafasi which clobbered into his jaw in the 23rd minute and led to a red card for the All Blacks forward.
Wright was back on his feet quickly, though, and menaced the All Blacks defence with a number of impressive carries through the match.
Overlooked by Rennie for the first three Bledisloe Cup clashes, Wright was thrilled to play a part in his Brumbies teammate James Slipper’s 100th test in his home state of Queensland.
“Representing your country is extremely special for me … and I’m just so pleased to win for someone like Slip,” he said.
Wright will hope to earn a second cap against Argentina in the Wallabies’ next Tri-Nations clash, in Newcastle on November 21.
The All Blacks captain is going viral for all the right reasons. #AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup #TriNations https://t.co/XkjOj2ZwDJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 8, 2020