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Huxley only No.2 at best
From Peter Jenkins in Cape Town, South Africa
June 17, 2007
INCUMBENT Australia full back Julian Huxley says he is a caretaker and is ready to step aside after Chris Latham launches his comeback next month.
Latham is yet to play this season after undergoing a knee reconstruction following a training mishap in January.
But Huxley, who played his fourth Test in succession against the Springboks in Cape Town overnight, is under no illusions about the direction selectors will take when Latham returns.
"Lath is an automatic selection as long as he's fit, and I know that," Huxley said before the match against South Africa at Newlands.
"He's been the world's best ful lback for the last few years now.
"He's shown that, and it's hard to top.
"I've just wanted to enjoy Test rugby. It's been great to play at this level. You challenge yourself and, if you can come up with the goods, it's a really satisfying feeling.
"It's all about me playing to my potential and if I'm doing that, whatever happens with selection, I'll be happy."
Wallabies coach John Connolly admitted heading into the fixture against the Springboks that Huxley's form had been an encouraging spinoff from the two victories over Wales and last week's win against Fiji.
Huxley has grown in confidence after an unsteady start to the first game against Wales, and he is now pushing for inclusion in the 30-man Rugby World Cup squad.
The Wallabies will take two full backs to France, and the Brumbies utility back, who is capable of also playing at five-eighth and outside centre, looks likely to fill the standby role ahead of Force full back/wing Cameron Shepherd.