Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
A schoolboy connection and some long lost cousins have Len Ikitau feeling right at home in Auckland.
The Wallabies’ reigning player of the year has overcome an ankle injury and will start at inside centre against the All Blacks in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup opener.
He’ll wear the No.12 after Hunter Paisami’s suspension, with Isaac Henry to start outside him in his fifth Test as Australia attempt to become the first team in 54 Tests – since 1994 – to win at Eden Park.
Henry was a budding playmaker the last time they shared the field at Brisbane Boys College, where five of the current Wallabies squad were schooled.
“He was my nine and then he was my 10,” Ikitau, one year Henry’s senior at 28, said ahead of his first Test appearance at Eden Park.
“He’s grown over the last couple of years … it’s been awesome to see him get his opportunity and make the most it.”
Ikitau, while born in Australia, lived in Auckland between the age of 3-11 and is one of several with Kiwi connections in the Wallabies squad.
Sydney-born, NZ-raised prop Aidan Ross will become the first player of the professional era to play Test rugby both for and against New Zealand while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Brandon Paenga-Amosa were born in Auckland.
Ikitau grew up idolising Blues players like Benson Stanley but lamented the fact only his younger brother TJ ever got a chance to play footy at the city’s national stadium.
“Just playing the All Blacks … you stand there, listen to the anthem, watch the haka, you get goosebumps,” Ikitau said.
“To play in front of all my family … I have a lot of cousins here I didn’t know I had … makes it special.
“It’d be nice to get one over them, but they’ve got an awesome team.”
Australia’s first-time midfield partnership will have their hands full attempting to contain All Blacks opposites Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea.
“Jordie works well with his backline, gets the ball to an edge quickly.
“He’s one of the best 12s in the world and then Quinn’s a 12 who can play anywhere.
“Using his speed and strength at 13, will be a massive challenge for us and we’ve got a big task to handle them.”
