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WALLABIES winger Drew Mitchell has boldly declared he wants to be the next Lote Tuqiri by becoming a mainstay of the Australia side into the next decade. (I wonder if he means "I want to be dropped". The kick early on that went straight out is a good start)
Picked ahead of his new Waratahs teammate for last night's clash with the Barbarians, Mitchell said he wants to emulate Tuqiri's success at international level, even if that means keeping the 29-year-old out of the Wallabies squad.
"I've started a few games and been benched a few games. I've never really held down a spot and that's something I'd love the opportunity to do," the 25-year-old told The Sun-Herald.
"I had the spot this weekend but by no means does it mean I've got it next weekend. It's always something I've been striving for.
"The more you play for the Wallabies the more comfortable you are and you can make more of an impact then if you're not, I think."
Mitchell, who has linked with the Waratahs for the next two years after three years at the Western Force, said he expected exiled league convert Tuqiri to be back in Robbie Deans's squad sooner rather than later, but vowed not to give up his spot for the veteran Test star.
"You wouldn't know by looking at Lote's efforts at training that he didn't make the first side. For him, he's played for so long now that when he gets his opportunity again, and he will, that he will grab it with both hands," a wary Mitchell said.
"So I guess it's up to me and the other guys in the back line at the moment to make sure we play well, to try and keep him out. It's not going to be easy though.
"Hopefully I can do my job to at least keep Lote from getting my position."
Mitchell has no shortage of speed or talent, but the enigmatic flyer knows only consistency will see him scale the heights of Tuqiri at international level. And he's watched the dual international closely enough to know he needs to follow the ball.
"I can't afford to coast through parts of the game and wait for action to come to me," he said.
"If I'm not getting enough touches out wide I've got to go in looking for it. There have been times when I've found myself not being involved in the game, so I really want to up my work rate off the ball. Defence is another area that's just so important these days.
"I have never felt like I'm a staple of the team and I still don't. I mean, it's a couple of sleepless nights before the announcement of the squad.
"But you need to be consistently good to do that and that's something I'm striving for. Consistency is something that's eluded me at times and it's just a matter of trying to make sure it becomes a big part of my game.
"Everyone wants to play as much as they can and I need to take my opportunities. But at this point, I'm just happy to be in the squad."
Mitchell is yet to discuss with Waratahs coach Chris Hickey whether he will play fullback or wing in Super 14 next season, but insisted he was just as comfortable in both positions and would be happy to play either for state or country. "I don't really have a preference between fullback and winger in all honesty. I guess the style of footy factors into it and getting good ball out wide, but I don't think there's too much of a difference in playing fullback," he said.
"I guess the only difference is in counter-attack where you're probably more central. Either way, you've pretty much got a licence to roam."
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Originally Posted by robyn <3
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Bet he does. But I'm afraid I'm keeping this avatar. Forever. And ever. Sorry Drew!
