Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Having had a bittersweet return to the Test arena, Wallabies fullback Jock Campbell is hoping for another opportunity in Australia’s No.15 jersey on Saturday in Brisbane against France.
The Queensland Reds star was rewarded for his impressive Super Rugby Pacific form with a Wallabies recall in Australia’s first Test of the year, a Nations Championship battle with Ireland in Sydney.
It was Campbell’s first Wallabies appearance since late 2022, but as much as he was happy to again represent his nation, the weekend’s 33-31 loss to the Irish at Allianz Stadium was hard to take for the 31-year-old custodian.
“We were very disappointed, but it was a big moment for me and my family, and it was good to share that with them,” said Campbell in reflecting on a team and individual performance that included a try of his own.
“It was just a few moments. They were very clinically cool when they got some opportunities. We let a couple slip.
“That’s hard to take because we did have our opportunities, but we’re excited to (have the chance to) rectify that this week.
“You’ve got to do it on the field, so while it might be encouraging, until we do that and get over the hump, we don’t really want to be in the same position next week.
“When we do get those moments, we’ve got to nail them around our roles around securing those line breaks and not turning the ball over in those (dangerous) areas. (It’s) just trying to give them as little opportunity as possible.”
Campbell said to limit France’s chances, the Wallabies would need to improve their discipline after giving away 12 penalties to the Irish.
“All rugby, a big part of it is discipline,” he said.
“We’ve got to work on that as a full squad. It’s not just one moment, it’s probably moments leading up to that as well.
“We all know how important letting teams in our 22 (metre zone) is, and how hard it is to stop teams close to the try-line, so not giving them access is a big priority for us.”
The Wallabies are hopeful that halves combination Ryan Lonergan and Carter Gordon will be fit for this weekend’s Suncorp Stadium clash after being forced off the field against the Irish with respective throat and calf problems.
Wallabies assistant coach Tom Donnelly said: “I think Ryan’s good. I’m not sure about Carter. We’ll get an update later (on Monday night).”
Donnelly was pleased with the way halfback Lonergan and flyhalf Gordon combined during their time together on the park in the opening half against Ireland.
“We started really well, then we made a few mistakes … particularly in that five minutes before half-time,” he said.
