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Here's hoping
Dreadlock dynamo, Western Force hooker Feleti Kaitu’u, daring to dream of a Wallabies debut on home soil
Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Sun, 29 August 2021 5:29PM
Western Force hooker Feleti Kaitu’u is daring to dream of a Wallabies debut on home soil in Sunday’s Bledisloe Cup clash at Optus Stadium.
The dreadlock dynamo has been a fixture in Wallabies camps for the past year after a breakout Super Rugby season.
He was in the Super Rugby AU team of the season, described as a “monster” at the set-piece with attacking prowess, and was heavily tipped to debut in the Test series against France in July.
But a calf injury ended his chances and it has been a long road back with a couple of setbacks along the way.
Wallabies coaches initially kept Kaitu’u in camp hoping he would be ready for the first Bledisloe clash at Eden Park.
But after a setback he returned to Perth to quarantine before training with the Force ahead of Sunday’s game and the rest of the Rugby Championship.
Having the match pushed back two weeks after the All Blacks refused to travel improved his debut chances.
“It hasn’t been the easiest road,” the 26-year-old said.
“After it happened a scan showed it was not as bad as it could have been which was a positive.
“I didn’t spend too long being down. I knew I had to get it right as soon as possible so that was my focus.
“I had a setback to my recovery but having the game pushed back has been a positive.
“It’s a bit of a blessing in disguise.
“It’s given me more time to get into the groove and get myself back 100 per cent.
“I’m in really good nick.
“I’ve had a lot of time to freshen up physically and mentally. I got my head down and backside up.
“I’m very grateful (coach) Dave Rennie has shown faith in me and allowed me the opportunity to rejoin the squad.
“It would be a fairytale to run out in front of the Sea of Blue (Force fans) and a WA crowd given the Force were the club that gave me my first break in a professional, full-time gig.
“I’m not looking too far ahead but it’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I was five-year-old kid.”
Rennie has been impressed with the Australian under-20 representative.
“Feleti will really be pushing to get selection,” Rennie said.
“He’s a good man. He’s been really impressive, great work ethic.
“He was an original part of our squad, got injured very early unfortunately.
“It’s been a long road to recovery.
“It’s obviously been frustrating for him because he had a good Super season.
“It’s how much volume we can get into him.
“He had full contact for the first time this week. We’ll gauge where he’s at.”