Wallabies skipper Nathan Sharpe says his team-mates are determined to do Australia proud on their four-match tour of Europe.
The tourists tackle France, England, Italy and Wales over the next four weeks and the veteran lock is excited to be going on one final trip before retiring from the game.
"It is a good opportunity for the guys to get away with each other," Sharpe told Sportal.
"We are used to touring for long periods with Super Rugby or even Test matches within the Rugby Championship we play and travel and play and travel.
"It may be an extra week on tour but I know the guys are keen to get up there and do the country proud."
Sharpe, who was awarded his second John Eales Medal last week, is also relishing the chance of playing England one last time at Twickenham.
The 34-year-old is the only member of the current Wallabies squad who was part of Australia's losing team in the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney.
The Wallabies' previous meeting with England also ended in defeat (35-18), and Sharpe is looking to turn the tables on November 17.
"They will obviously be keen to replicate that again against us but for us it is a great rivalry with England and I know all the guys will be looking forward to that game once we have played France," said Sharpe.
"It (Twickenham) is a tremendous stadium and regardless of the result it is a great rugby atmosphere.
"It is one of the destinations in the world that you want to play rugby at."
Sharpe also feels the return of injured trio Berrick Barnes (utility back), David Pocock (flank) and Stephen Moore (hooker) will be a massive boost for the squad who have had their fair share of injuries of late.
"The guys that are coming back with some experience, Berrick (Barnes), Stephen Moore and David Pocock, it is fantastic to have those guys back," he said.
"What has happened is that guys have come in and done a great job in keeping the team going along and it only adds to that.
"The more experience and more exposure players can get at this level the better it is for Australian rugby and hopefully we will see that on this trip."
Comments
OzinLondon says...
Melkdave
I may be wrong but I think you (like Planetrugby) have backed the Wallas to lose pretty much every match this year.
They'll lose to Wales... Oh they got lucky, they'll lose 2-1... Oh well Wales have injuries, they won't go down 3-0... Well that 3-0 whitewash didn't really mean anything, they'll lose to the ABs... Thank god, they lost to NZ... twice. I told you they were rubbish. Now SA will do them... Um, if the Argies can beat anyone it will be Aus... Lucky again, SA will spank them... I told you so. Rubbish. No way will they win in Argentina... OK, but what a poor game and how bad were Argentina? NZ will spank them again.... Right, well they won't do well on their NH tour...
Maybe they're better than you think. For an apparently poor season they have had results that all the NH teams would be relatively happy with (and with a crippling injury list).
The Wallas may well do badly up north but it won't be for any lack of effort or heart. Forgive me if I don't read much into your predictions.
Posted 10:02 06th November 2012
georgesmith says...
Hard chance for Wallabies to return with 4/4 especially with an over-rated player like N.Sharpe as captain. Too often during games, his hands are on the hips.
Posted 05:26 06th November 2012
jonesy2 says...
i would be pretty surprised if france get within 40 and england get within 25. the only team that may have a chance to upset is wales
Posted 02:52 06th November 2012
jonesy2 says...
melkdave -- ha good one. youre a funny guy.
Posted 02:49 06th November 2012
buttalapasta says...
They will surely do Australia proud in Firenze... Don't know about the other matches
:-)
Posted 13:58 05th November 2012
melkdave says...
I have absolutly nodought the players want to do well and Australia proud.But i do feel that realistically this tour is a step to far,given the injuries ect currently affecting them,and that some players have been rushed back to soon ie B.Barnes.I may be totally wrong and god knows i have in the past But i can see Australia losing at least 3 of their 4 matches,and maybe even all of them if morale starts to drop.Paris is going to be massive for Australia ,a win ,and confidance will start to grow,a loss ,and their wheels could start to fall off..A thrashing which isnt out of the question imo,and its backs to the wall time again .
Posted 13:39 05th November 2012