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Mitchell's exile made him hungry
By James Hooper
August 10, 2008 REBORN Australia full-back Drew Mitchell has revealed how a 12-month exile from international rugby helped rejuvenate his Test career.
Banished to the international wilderness in 2006, Mitchell has overcome a bout of second-year syndrome to emerge as the man to step into the Wallabies' cursed custodian role.
Mitchell's revival comes as Australia prepare for the dreaded South African leg of the Tri-Nations, where the Wallabies must play Tests in Durban and Johannesburg.
New coach Robbie Deans must overcome the damning statistic that Australia have failed to beat the Springboks at home since a one-point win in Durban in 2000.
Deans is expected to appoint Mitchell as the Wallabies' third full-back in four Tests when the national squad assembles in Sydney for a two-day camp starting next Tuesday.
Mitchell credits his revival as an international footballer to the 12 months he spent as a Test outcast after a stellar debut season in 2005.
"It was a bit of a wake-up call that I couldn't just keep going along relying on what I'd already done. I had to keep working," Mitchell said.
"For me, things went pretty well in 2005 and I was pretty comfortable but it all came pretty quickly. At that stage, I guess I was somewhat immature in terms of being a professional football player.
"I thought that natural ability was going to keep getting me in the position that I wanted to be in and I guess that was a naive outlook on Test rugby.
"I know now that you've got to keep putting in the work to get in the position that you want to be in.
"It was tough at the time, I was pretty disappointed in myself."
The Wallaby flyer will become the third player this season to be handed the No.15 jumper after injuries ruled out both Cameron Shepherd and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
First-string choice Shepherd suffered a broken leg against France in Brisbane before makeshift replacement Ashley-Cooper broke a bone in his hand against New Zealand in Auckland.
"I played the second half against the All Blacks in New Zealand and it was great to get back out there and get some good time in Test footy," Mitchell said.
"It's exciting times within the Wallabies set-up at the moment, everyone's really excited about being there and getting involved.
"I used to always prefer full-back because I was more comfortable there than on the wing. Now I've played so much in both positions I don't really mind either way because they're both interchangeable."
A decision on whether Wallabies blindside flanker Rocky Elsom will make the trip to South Africa is expected on Tuesday. Elsom injured his foot in the opening Test.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html