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Wallabies rookie set to make an impact
JIM MORTON
July 22, 2010 - 6:44PM
AAP
Veteran Wallabies forward Nathan Sharpe expects to see plenty of big hits and aggression if Ben McCalman caps his meteoric rise with a Test debut on Saturday night.
Twelve months ago McCalman, 22, was just hoping to be a part of Sydney University's premiership team but he's now lining up to play in Australia's biggest Test of 2010 after replacing Western Force teammate Matt Hodgson.
Flanker Hodgson, selected on the Australian bench, succumbed to a groin injury on Thursday after suffering a minor strain at training on Tuesday.
Force skipper Sharpe holds both players in the highest regard but is tipping McCalman, who plays No.8 or No.6, will make an instant impact if he becomes Australia's 23rd new player in 33 Tests under Robbie Deans against the Springboks.
"Benny's a guy who will be very, very good," the 82-Test lock said of the unheralded back-rower. "You can't train those instincts that he's got.
"I always laugh when the Western Force were talking about signing him. The coaching staff used the phrase `he's got some shit about him'."
McCalman, who grew up on a sheep farm in western NSW, was plucked from clubland by Deans to travel with the Wallabies on their Grand Slam tour before impressing in his debut Super 14 season with the Force.
He's been preferred to Queensland flanker Scott Higginbotham, who is working his way back from an ankle injury, due largely to his greater match fitness.
McCalman stood out with his physicality in starring for the Australian Barbarians in their two midweek matches against England last month.
The Wallabies are confident Hodgson will be fit and available for next week's Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks in Melbourne.
"Matt did it very late running in Tuesday's session and we ran him but (to no avail)," said coach Deans.
"Benny's got a good handle on what's required and he doesn't want for any willingness."
© 2010 AAP
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news...722-10msh.html
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