Newly-minted Wallaby Dave Dennis expects to feel a little less pressure in his household after finally ascending to full international status.
Back-rower and occasional lock Dennis had become the nearly man of Australian rugby, making the 2009 and 2011 Spring tours, without playing a Test.
Conversely, his girlfriend Mo’onia Gerrard has played almost 60 netball Tests for Australia and been part of two world championship-winning teams, while her brother Mark played 23 Tests for the Wallabies.
“There’s been a bit of pressure in that household for the last couple of years … Hopefully if I can get this one on Tuesday, it will take a bit of pressure off my back,” Dennis joked on Sunday.
One of the few form players in a disappointing NSW Waratahs team, Dennis has built an irresistible case for Test selection this year.
“Every week, you know what you are going to get out of Dave and we are getting more and more week by week,” Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.
“He’s adding elements to his game, so we expect him to do really well.
“He’s playing like a Test player now.”
Dennis had no complaints at having to wait for his crack at Test level.
“I think the national side should always be hard to make and it’s proved probably harder for me to make it over the last couple of years, but I’m happy with that and I’ve just kept working,” Dennis said.
He wasn’t concerned at having to back up just three days after playing for NSW against the Hurricanes.
“As long as I get my recovery right, I think mentally I will definitely be up for it. It’s my first opportunity at national level so I won’t have any trouble there,” Dennis said.
Meanwhile, lock Nathan Sharpe, who will become the joint third-highest capped Wallaby on Tuesday when he makes his 102nd appearance, hasn’t totally ruled out extending his international career beyond the four June Tests.