Vickerman considers return
* Bret Harris
* From: The Australian
* July 06, 2010 12:00AM
FORMER Wallaby Dan Vickerman is believed to be considering coming back to Australia early from Cambridge University to play in the Super 15 next year.
The aim of the second rower's return would be to give himself the best chance of appearing in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
One of the leading second-rowers in world rugby, Vickerman played 52 Tests from 2002 to 2008 before leaving Australia to study economics at Cambridge.
Vickerman's previous position has been that he would not return to Australia until he completed his studies in June next year, which would rule him out of most of the Super 15 series.
But an informed source told The Australian that Vickerman, who is on holidays in Sydney, had indicated he was thinking about coming back in January.
It is understood that if Vickerman played Super 15 next year, he would more than likely rejoin the NSW Waratahs.
With Vickerman in the team, the Wallabies' chances of winning the World Cup would increase markedly.
Along with Nathan Sharpe and James Horwill, Vickerman would give the Wallabies a world class second-row rotation.
Vickerman has the size and physicality to combat Springbok second-rower Bakkies Botha and the lineout skills to compete with his partner Victor Matfield.
Dean Mumm appears to be better suited to blindside flanker at Test level.
Mitch Chapman, who floats between lock and loose forward, sat on the bench against Ireland, but is yet to be capped.
Queensland Reds second-rower Rob Simmons and Waratahs lock Kane Douglas are regarded as players of the future.
Wallabies number eight Stephen Hoiles will be sidelined for three months after undergoing an operation to repair an achilles tendon injury.
Hoiles is hoping to recover in time for the Wallabies' tour of Europe in November.
The Western Force has made an offer to Hurricanes five-eighth Willie Ripia.
He told me he had done his hammy, and sat down with a massive grin on his face.
