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Well done Dan
One of the silent achievers, all be it a little too silent just lately...
I reckon his best matches are still ahead of him.
Vickerman warming up for milestone Test
Posted Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:26pm AEST
Line-out general Dan Vickerman will get the buzz of playing at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in his 50th international appearance for Australia in their key pool match against Wales at the World Cup on Saturday.
The South African-born giant is a key member of the reshaped Wallabies' forward pack and is looking ahead to the Australians making further improvements after their 91-3 thumping of Japan in Lyon last Sunday morning (Australian time) in their first international since late July.
Vickerman has formed one of the best line-out jumping partnerships with Nathan Sharpe in world rugby and their battle with the Welsh jumpers will be one of the highlights.
The winner of the Cardiff game is likely to finish top of Pool B and set up a quarter-final against either holders England or South Africa in Marseille next month.
"It's not something you envisage playing (50 Tests)," Vickerman said.
"To play one Test for your country is pretty special and it was the highlight of my life up to date and in more rugby life 50 Tests is pretty special."
Under the mentoring of forwards coach Michael Foley the Wallabies' pack is fast ridding itself of the unwanted reputation of the pushovers in world rugby and the Australians will get a good guide against the Welsh as to how their development is shaping.
"As a forward pack we're pretty unified and we know where we want to be and we believe we're heading in the right direction and we're pretty happy with that," Vickerman said.
"The line-out is a lot more consistent than it has been, the scrum is consistent and the guys are playing well as a group.
"If we can make little steps towards that this weekend again and keep it moving forward then that would be fantastic."
Vickerman is not one to rubbish Wales' opening 42-17 win over Canada in Nantes and praised them for maintaining their composure.
"Wales had a win and they put 40 points on the Canadians who are very strong physically up front," he said.
"I think the Welsh showed tremendous composure to keep at their game plan and a lot has been made of the first round of matches, there were a couple of upsets but Wales playing at Millennium Stadium is a completely different proposition.
"We have to work hard at it as they will be up for it as we are."
Australia have had tight matches against the Welsh at Millennium Stadium over the last two visits.
The Wallabies relinquished an early lead to draw 29-29 last year and went down 24-22 to Wales in 2005.
"Last year we got off to a good start and we took the foot off the accelerator and that's a pretty good sign that you have to play the game for 80 minutes. Wales came back well and it was a draw," Vickerman said.
"I wasn't involved in the game in 2005 the same could be same for that as well."
-AFP
Vickerman to join exclusive club
13/09/2007 2:19:24 PM
Steve Orme
Sportal
Wallabies lock Dan Vickerman will play his 50th Test match for his adopted homeland against Wales on Saturday.
The South African-born Vickerman made his Test debut in 2002 and is only the 26th Australian player to reach the milestone.
"To play one Test for your country is pretty special and was the highlight of my life to date … and certainly 50 is something pretty special," Vickerman said.
But Vickerman, a pivotal member of the Wallabies forward pack, would not allow himself to dwell on his own personal achievements ahead of Saturday's crucial Pool B showdown at Millennium Stadium.
"After all is said and done and whilst it is a milestone, we've got a big game this weekend and it's a big focus for us in our World Cup campaign to do well this weekend," Vickerman said.
"It's pretty irrelevant what I'm doing this weekend, it's more of a team focus at the end of the day and if the team can play well it will be a pretty sweet result for us all."
"This weekend it should be pretty exciting and to play at Millennium Stadium, it's a pretty special ground - if you're not up for this one it's a bit of a problem."
The 28-year-old made a successful return form major shoulder surgery to play a vital role in the Wallabies' recent domestic Test campaign.
And the towering lock remains confident the often-maligned Wallabies pack is ready to fire.
"As a forward pack we're very happy where we're going, the scrum's coming along well, the lineout is coming along well and we're working hard to keep that consistent at the moment," Vickerman said.
"At the end of the day you hear things on the outside of the circle but as a group we're pretty unified and we know where we want to be and we believe we're heading in that direction."
Vickerman also defended the Welsh, who were lambasted for their indifferent display against Canada on Sunday, and said the Wallabies are prepared for a fierce encounter in Cardiff.
"I think the Welsh showed tremendous composure to keep to their game plan and keep going," he said.
"A lot has been made of the first round … I think Wales playing at Millennium Stadium this week is a completely different proposition."
"So we've got to work pretty hard this week because they'll be up for it as we are and I think it will just be a good clash all together."
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