After knocking back chances to play rugby overseas, Waratahs recruit Adam Ashley-Cooper is preparing for more responsibility after injuries to their two Wallabies wingers.
Ashley-Cooper will make his debut for the Waratahs at fullback in Friday’s trial against Tonga at the Sydney Football Stadium, but the 27-year-old 64-Test veteran could just as easily have been playing now in France or the United Kingdom.
Having decided to leave the Brumbies, Ashley-Cooper said it had been 50-50 whether he stayed in Australia or headed overseas.
“I didn’t want to go over there and regret not being able to play for Australia anymore so that was enough to hold me back in Australia,” Ashley-Cooper told AAP.
“I was definitely attracted to a few of the French clubs and I was also in negotiations with a couple of UK clubs.
“I was pretty close to saying ‘bonjour’ and ‘au revoir’.”
A few weeks ago he might reasonably have expected to line up on Friday in an all-Wallabies back three alongside wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner.
With Turner (hamstring) sidelined for several months and Mitchell (ankle) for at least the opening round of Super Rugby, Ashley-Cooper will be the only experienced campaigner among the Waratahs’ back three.
Ashley-Cooper says he’s prepared to take a leadership role given the inexperience of his backline colleagues, with Tom Kingston (four Super caps) and Brackin Karauria-Henry (three) starting on the wings.
“You always take on that responsibility no matter who you have got around you, but given that Drew and Lachie aren’t playing with me this week I think there’s obviously not that experience.
“We’ve got a lot of enthusiasm attached with young guys putting their hands up.
“It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m sure it’s going to be exciting because it gives these young blokes an opportunity to get a taste of Super 15 football and really develop their game.”
Versatile Ashley-Cooper has been earmarked to fill the fullback spot vacated by Kurtley Beale’s move to Melbourne.
“I don’t have the Kurtley Beale X-factor, but I’ll play to my strengths and that’s what (NSW coach) Michael Foley has alluded to – not only personally but as a squad, that everyone plays to our strengths,” Ashley-Cooper said.
Used to being shunted around the Brumbies and Wallabies backlines, Ashley-Cooper said he would be excited if he could play in the No.15 jersey on a regular basis.
Foley said he wanted Ashley-Cooper to play fullback at this stage, but didn’t rule out using him in other positions.
