Scott Fardy is one of the great rags to riches stories in Australian rugby, but the modest flanker doesn’t believe he’ll ever feel entrenched in the Wallabies team.
Fardy has quickly flourished into one of the first forwards picked in Ewen McKenzie’s pack, but the 29-year-old is taking nothing for granted.
Returning from Japanese rugby in 2012 with his shot at a Test career seemingly fallen by the wayside, Fardy has proven over the past two years that there’s nothing wrong with a late bloomer.
Fardy’s work-rate and impact at the breakdown at blindside flanker compliments skipper Michael Hooper’s game at openside brilliantly.
Heading into Saturday’s dead-rubber against France at Allianz Stadium, the Brumbies hardman has gone a long way towards cementing his position leading into next year’s World Cup.
But the bearded warrior says he’s waited so long for a Wallabies jersey, he’ll never make himself feel comfortable.
“I don’t ever feel like that and I don’t think I ever will,” he said.
“There are players of quality that are around me and waiting in the wings. You can’t ever think that (you’re entrenched). You’ve got to keep working otherwise guys will take your spot.
“I treasure every Test … I’ve been lucky in rugby. I’ve been as lucky as anyone in this game.”
Fardy’s ability to execute turnovers at breakdown time have made he and Hooper the perfect one-two combination.
“I really do enjoy playing with Hoops … he’s a great player and that energy he brings makes him a good captain,” he said.
“We work in tandem a bit there … me being in the line-out frees him up to do a lot more ball running as well.”
Fardy says the key to his success so far against France this series has been to stick to what his game is – and avoiding the temptation to try and do too much because he’s wearing a gold jersey.