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June 28, 2009 - 12:30AM
Veteran forward Nathan Sharpe says the Wallabies can break their title drought this year, writes Josh Rakic.
IN EIGHT years at the top level of the game, Wallabies stalwart Nathan Sharpe has never tasted Tri Nations success. And it's not because he's been injured or missed out on selection.
The reason is much more embarrassing. Australia haven't been in the hunt for the coveted trophy since last holding it in 2001. Indeed, it was so long ago that George Smith and Phil Waugh are the only members of a squad of 30 to have ever experienced success over South Africa and New Zealand to claim the series, which this season celebrates its 14th year.
"Yeah, it's disappointing for me and the team," the 31-year-old Wagga Wagga product said. "There have been a couple of opportunities to take it out but we haven't come up with the results, which is unfortunate.
"It's a big goal for me. I've never done it, and I know it's a big goal for the team this year. It's definitely something I'd love to achieve with this team."
And while Robbie Deans's 2009 side has been together only a month, the 75-Test veteran is confident the squad features the right mix of youth, skill, experience and raw talent to bring both the Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup - a trophy the Wallabies haven't held since 2002 - home to Australia. "It's a really exciting team and the way that Robbie's moulded us together is tremendous," the Western Force skipper said.
"The continuation from last year has been very good, too. Seamless, actually. All the guys who came back into camp, you could tell straight away there wasn't a lot of anxiety among them, everyone just picked up where they left off. And that make things a lot easier in the transition from year to year - on and off the field.
"This is definitely a team capable of winning back the trophy. We want to get that silverware. There's no doubting what our desires are, we've just got to go out and do it now. We haven't proved anything yet.
"But we've got a very athletic squad this year and there's a lot of enthusiasm. We've got some guys who are well up there with some of the best athletes Australia has produced, not just in rugby union, and it gives us a great opportunity this year to win some silverware."
A new attitude is key, Sharpe says.
"Robbie's getting everyone to approach their football as if every game could be your last, and it's bringing the best out in all of us," he said. "It creates a great environment because everyone knows you need to put your best foot forward whenever you set foot on the park. There's a lot of competition.
"I think members in this squad are approaching their work differently this year, more consistently. But in saying that, we haven't done anything yet so it doesn't give us any right to claim this or that just yet."
And with suggestions earlier this season Deans might look to omit some of the older heads in the side, the champion lock says he feels like he has a new lease on life.
"For me, missing some Tests on the last tour has worked as big motivation for me and I'm enjoying my football now as much as ever," Sharpe said. "I feel good, I feel fresh. I'm ready to go. I'm a spring chicken."
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/spor...0628-d0ov.html