‘Do the jersey proud’: Ex-All Black looks ahead to first Wallabies start

Aidan Ross made a couple of international appearances for the All Blacks in 2022, coming off the bench in two Tests against Ireland. But the Super Rugby Pacific veteran wouldn’t wear the famed black jersey again, instead embarking on a new journey across the ditch.

Ross made the move to the Sunshine State of Queensland ahead of the British & Irish Lions Tour last July, debuting in a Reds jersey against the tourists. Les Kiss was in charge of the Reds that evening, and the coach has again rewarded Ross with another special opportunity.

The first Wallabies team under new coach Les Kiss was announced on Thursday, with Ross named in the starting side at loosehead prop. It marks the first time that Ross has been named in the First XV at Test level, after making a few appearances in Wallaby gold under Joe Schmidt.

Gosford-born Ross debuted for the Wallabies against Eddie Jones’ Japan last October, with the Aussies holding on for a four-point win to kick off their Spring Tour. The prop featured in another two matches during the European leg of the Autumn Nations Series.

“When Les told me at the start of the week, pretty special,” Ross told reporters in Osaka, before taking on Japan this weekend.

“Obviously first Test start so got to repay Les and do the jersey proud, put in best the performance that I can.

“It’s pretty cool, how the whole process started, I came over and started at the Reds and [Kiss] was there and now he’s the Wallabies coach.

“To have that relationship from the last 12 or so months, I really enjoy Les as a coach; he’s passionate, I love how he always cares about the family side of things as well and once it’s training time, it’s time to train. He really gets the whole picture right. I love playing for him.”

It’s 36 degrees at 1:00 pm on Friday afternoon in Osaka, with 46 per cent humidity adding to the already scorching conditions. In comparison, it was six degrees in Sydney during the early hours of the morning, with the temperature increasing to 17 during the afternoon.

The weather was a talking point for the Wallabies last week, after they assembled in Sydney ahead of the two Tests against the Brave Blossoms. But Ross has since likened the conditions to Australia’s River City, with plenty of Queenslanders named in the Wallabies’ matchday 23.

“Almost reminds me when we rocked up there at the start of the week, it was almost like Ballymore in the middle of January,” Ross explained with a smile.

“It is what it is. You get through it, bite down hard. You can’t change the weather, everyone’s got to play in it [so] just embrace it.”

Japan are looking to bounce back from losses to Ireland and France in the Nations Championship, who also claimed win over the Wallabies. But the Brave Blossoms and Wallabies didn’t finish the July international window 0-3, with both sides overcoming Italy.

The Brave Blossoms conceded early to the Azzurri in early July, before piling on the points as they ran away with a fairly clinical win. Two weeks later, Josh Canham made history with a hat-trick as the Wallabies secured a 47-point triumph.

These results set the stage for an exciting window of fixtures ahead of the Wallabies, who are entering a new era under coach Kiss. They face the Brave Blossoms in Osaka this weekend, before hosting the same side in Townsville on August 15.

“They’re a fast team,” he added.

“Scrum time they’re fast out of the blocks. Line speed in defence, they’re fast.

“They match their whole game around being as fast as possible in every aspect of it so that’s what we’re expecting. They’re a very quick team.”