If things had worked out differently Nathan Sharpe could have been running out for Wales instead of the Wallabies when he plays his 103rd international in Saturday’s second rugby Test in Melbourne.
Sharpe returns to Etihad Stadium, the scene of his Test debut back in 2002, knowing it’s likely the penultimate Test in a long and distinguished career.
The 34-year-old lock said on Thursday he’d never say never if requested to continue on to the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship later this year.
So far there have been no discussions with Wallabies selectors about playing past the three-Test Wales series which he’s flagged as his farewell, even with regular captain and lock James Horwill unlikely to be ready for at least of the Rugby Championship due to injury.
If things go as planned, Sharpe will hang up his boots after playing the remaining three rounds of Super Rugby for the Western Force following the Wales series.
But he’s trying not to think about the career countdown and to enjoy the moment.
And he’s expecting a more torrid encounter as Six Nations champions Wales look to draw level on Saturday after losing the opening Testh in Brisbane.
“We’re not basing too much on last weekend; we were just happy to win the game and start the series well,” Sharpe said on Thursday.
“This week’s match will be a real test for both teams and the intensity will be up.
“We’re expecting a far sterner test.”
Australia’s most capped second-rower was approached as a 19-year-old by then Wales coach Graham Henry about playing for the country of his grandfather’s birth.
Sharpe said it was nice to hear but not something he ever considered.
“It was a long time ago but obviously I made the right decision,” he said.
“I never realistically considered going.”
The Wallabies are preparing for Wales to try to slow the game down and to get to star halfback Will Genia by disrupting his clean and quick supply of ball – something the Australian forwards achieved with aplomb at Suncorp Stadium.
“It will be their goal to disrupt us at the set piece so we need to make sure our breakdown’s good because this week will be a much tougher challenge.
“They’ll want to get to Will and the way to get to him is give him slow ball.”
Despite praise after the first game from their coach Robbie Deans, Sharpe said the forwards still had some way to go to win international respect.
“We’ve got to be consistent over years to do that.
“I think we’ve done it at times but the real focus for us is to be consistent this week.”
Injured Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu (forearm) and centre Rob Horne (head) are expected to play.
