Norton-Knight chases Wallabies selection

Updated June 18, 2012 15:51:44

Sam Norton-Knight hopes his move to Western Force next season will get him into Wallabies contention for the British and Irish Lions tour.

The versatile 28-year-old back left Super Rugby in 2009 after 49 games in four years at the Waratahs, after beginning his career with the Brumbies.

Norton-Knight played a year with the Cardiff Blues and then three seasons in Japan with the Wild Knights where he won a Top League title in his first year.

His only two Wallabies caps came in 2007 when he played in victories over Wales and Fiji but believes his experience abroad has given him the tools to get back in contention once more.

"This wasn't an opportunity I thought I'd have when I left in 2009," Norton-Knight, who has signed a two-year deal, told the Force website.

"I will have been away for four seasons and the timing was right to come back to Australia and I'm really excited about this opportunity that's been presented at the Force.

"I'm very keen to test myself in Super Rugby again, particularly with the Lions touring next year. There are a number of players who have had success after coming back from Japan to play in Australia and this only confirmed my decision to return.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge as I'm enjoying my rugby now more than I probably have before.

There is a phenomenal culture and training regime in these Japanese sides, and it's taught me that the more you put in, the more you'll enjoy your rugby.

"It's also been fantastic playing under [former All Blacks fly-half] Tony Brown, who's probably had more of an influence on my game than anyone else."

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted June 18, 2012 15:42:40

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Mitchell eyeing surprise Cup selection

Posted April 26, 2011 15:56:00

Injured Australia winger Drew Mitchell, who dislocated his ankle last Saturday, is targeting a return to the field in time to be considered as a surprise inclusion in Robbie Deans' World Cup squad.

Mitchell suffered the injury when he collided with Scott Higginbotham during the Waratahs' 19-15 loss to the Queensland Reds in their Super rugby match in Brisbane.

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said after the match, when it was confirmed Mitchell had dislocated his right ankle and broken a bone in his leg, that his winger was not expected to be back this year.

Players with similar injuries have needed at least six months to recover.

The 27-year-old Mitchell, however, said he expected the injury to be healed within three months and the motivating factor during his rehabilitation would be to be included in Deans' World Cup squad.

He had been an almost certainty prior to the injury.

"The indication I got is 12-14 weeks, it is much better news than it could have been," Mitchell was quoted as saying by Tuesday's Sydney Morning Herald.

"If I had been looking at the World Cup as not being an option at all, sometimes the motivation might not have been as high as it could be.

"I'll make sure that whatever day-to-day rehab stuff is required, I will do.

"It will be tedious and boring but, if that tedious and boring work is going to put me in a position to hopefully be looked at for World Cup selection, it will be worth it.

"I was immediately trying to work out how many weeks it would be before I could possibly return. It has put me in a better place than what it could have.

"Also, ever since the last World Cup when we were eliminated in the quarter-finals, from that moment I have done everything I can to get back for the next World Cup."

Australia have been drawn in Pool C with Ireland, Italy, the United States and Russia for the September 9 to October 23 World Cup in New Zealand.

- Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, nsw, sydney-2000

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Mitchell eyeing surprise Cup selection

Posted April 26, 2011 15:56:00

Injured Australia winger Drew Mitchell, who dislocated his ankle last Saturday, is targeting a return to the field in time to be considered as a surprise inclusion in Robbie Deans' World Cup squad.

Mitchell suffered the injury when he collided with Scott Higginbotham during the Waratahs' 19-15 loss to the Queensland Reds in their Super rugby match in Brisbane.

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said after the match, when it was confirmed Mitchell had dislocated his right ankle and broken a bone in his leg, that his winger was not expected to be back this year.

Players with similar injuries have needed at least six months to recover.

The 27-year-old Mitchell, however, said he expected the injury to be healed within three months and the motivating factor during his rehabilitation would be to be included in Deans' World Cup squad.

He had been an almost certainty prior to the injury.

"The indication I got is 12-14 weeks, it is much better news than it could have been," Mitchell was quoted as saying by Tuesday's Sydney Morning Herald.

"If I had been looking at the World Cup as not being an option at all, sometimes the motivation might not have been as high as it could be.

"I'll make sure that whatever day-to-day rehab stuff is required, I will do.

"It will be tedious and boring but, if that tedious and boring work is going to put me in a position to hopefully be looked at for World Cup selection, it will be worth it.

"I was immediately trying to work out how many weeks it would be before I could possibly return. It has put me in a better place than what it could have.

"Also, ever since the last World Cup when we were eliminated in the quarter-finals, from that moment I have done everything I can to get back for the next World Cup."

Australia have been drawn in Pool C with Ireland, Italy, the United States and Russia for the September 9 to October 23 World Cup in New Zealand.

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