Australia’s second row stocks for next year have been boosted by the return of Dan Vickerman, who has re-signed with Australian Rugby from June next year until the end of 2013.
The country’s third most capped lock forward, with 55 previous Test appearances to his name, Vickerman debuted against France in Sydney in 2002, having previously represented South Africa in the Under-21 age group.
A member of the Australian squads at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups, the 31-year-old last appeared for the Qantas Wallabies during the 27-15 win over South Africa at Durban in 2008.
A shoulder injury, sustained during that match, forced Vickerman home from the two-Test tour, bringing an early end to his involvement in the Tri Nations series.
He then left the country before the end of that year to commence a period of study at Cambridge University in England.
Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans welcomed Vickerman’s return to Australian Rugby.
“Dan will have to earn his place, as any player does, but his return to Australia is great news for the game and potentially the Wallabies,” Deans said.
“Regaining a player of his wide ranging experience can only have benefits, especially given that he plays in a position where our depth has been tested in recent times. We have some promising young locks emerging but you can’t buy experience and Dan certainly brings that to the table.”
Vickerman, who has been sidelined from rugby in recent months due to injury, will return to Australia on a fulltime basis once he has concluded his studies.
While he will arrive back in time to potentially play in a third Rugby World Cup, Deans says no guarantees have been offered in terms of selection.
“Dan knows that he will have to earn a place in the Wallabies like everyone else. He will have to make the most of the playing opportunities that he has once he gets back to Australia, prior to our first selection.”
Vickerman has also re-signed with the NSW Waratahs, whom he represented between 2004 and 2008, having started off in Super Rugby with the Brumbies in 2001.
“It was a big decision to leave Australia in 2008 but I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Vickerman.
“Rugby has given me the opportunity to play and study abroad but next year is the right time to come back.
“I’ve been in communication with the coaching staff at the Waratahs and the Wallabies for a while now and collectively we’re all on the same page in terms of where we want to be at and what we want to accomplish.
“I know there’s a lot of hard work to be done over the next 12 months to push for a place in the World Cup squad but that’s what I’m focusing on and that’s what I want to achieve.”
