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JAMIE PANDARAM The Daily Telegraph
BEN McCalman has already played 48 Tests for Australia, but because 21 have been off the bench, it feels as though he’s never been a full fledged certainty.
The Western Force workhorse now has a chance to cement his position in the Wallabies’ backrow after being given a shock start in the Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand on Saturday.
“The true indicator of how hard training has been based on how hard the players push each other, and that backrow position is always heavily contested,” McCalman said.
“Lucky for me, I get to represent the boys that missed out this weekend, but also every player that aspires to want to play at No.6 in the Wallaby jersey.
“I’m very excited to be playing this weekend, my brothers are coming down all the from Warren off the farm, so they’re excited as well.”
McCalman is one of just two new members of the starting XV to that which lost the World Cup final to the All Blacks last November - the other being winger Dane Haylett-Petty in place of Drew Mitchell.
McCalman has taken the spot of rugged veteran Scott Fardy, who shifts to the bench.
“I’ve made those selections because I think they’ll add to the type of game that we’ll play on Saturday,” Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said.
“I don’t think it’s a straight comparison like that. Fards (Fardy) has been in the team for a fair while now and Ben’s been putting pressure on at different times and every time he steps out to play for Australia.
“You know what you’re going to get and I think that’s him as a character so we’ll be looking for him to show his character on Saturday.
“He’s earned the opportunity.”
http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/w...752b54014b8dcf
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