Australia
Foreign legion have flagged Wallabies interest
June 10, 2015
Drew Mitchell is in contention for a spot on the Wallabies wing © Getty Images
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Overseas-based stars Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and George Smith have all declared their availability for the Wallabies' Rugby Championship opener.

With the lure of the Rugby World Cup later in the year, the trio of Test veterans have assured Wallabies coach Michael Cheika they're ready to be involved in the full 2015 international campaign. Cheika said on Wednesday he'd spoken to Giteau, Mitchell and Smith - who became eligible under new, relaxed Australian Rugby Union rules - and all were available from the opening Test against South Africa in Brisbane on July 18.

"They've all shown their interest in playing, so it all comes down to the selection table like everyone else," Cheika told AAP. "I think they've played well, all of them. Matt and Drew in a team that's gone well and George in a team that's been struggling in Lyon. I think they've all had positive campaigns over there as far as personal form goes. I think they've played well, all of them. Matt and Drew in a team that's gone well and George in a team that's been struggling in Lyon."

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Cheika said he would pick a squad of around 45 at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season this weekend, containing those who were still playing in the finals. He will then whittle the squad down to 35 for the opening two Tests of the campaign with Argentina away following the Springboks clash in Brisbane.

"We're not going to pick a squad and say that will be it for the whole championship. We'll get a squad for those first two games and go from there," he said.

One hundred days out from World Cup kick off at Twickenham, rugby's showpiece is a huge lure but Cheika and his players are concentrating on gaining a flying start before contesting their Cup pool of death including England and Wales.

To do that they aim to make the most of the abbreviated Rugby Championship series and finally overcome the world champion All Blacks to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup, something Australia hasn't done for 13 years.

"We know you've got to talk about these things [World Cup] ... but we are only looking at what's coming up next," Cheika said. "It's my first experience with [the Bledisloe Cup] and I'm going to be extremely eager to try and do our best against the best team in the world."

Queensland and Wallabies prop James Slipper is tired of seeing the All Blacks holding up the Bledisloe trophy and believes there will seldom be a better time to turn the tables.

"I'm sick of it ... I want it that bad," Slipper said. "It's one trophy that most rugby players would put first. Winning is a habit and if you create that habit, you are going to build confidence from that. Going into the World Cup having built that winning culture can only help you in those big games under pressure situations."

Brumbies and Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore echoed Slipper's sentiments.

"Its been a long time since we've held the Bledisloe aloft and Cheik's spoken about that already," Moore said. "Anytime you get the opportunity to lift a bit of silverware, you want to give it a full crack. It means a lot to us to get that opportunity again this year and we want to make sure we give it our best to have a shot at the Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe."

© AAP

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