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How moving to Scotland 're-lit that fire' inside of former Wallaby

(Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Jack Dempsey wants to repay Scottish rugby for ‘relighting his fire’ after the former Wallaby’s recent decision to switch allegiance.

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The 28-year-old Glasgow back-rower was born and raised in Sydney and won 14 caps for Australia between 2017 and 2019.

However, Dempsey recently made himself available for Scotland following a change in World Rugby’s international eligibility rules that mean a capped player can now switch allegiance to another country to which they have “a close and credible link via birthright”, so long as they undertake a three-year cooling-off period.

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Coincidentally, Dempsey, who has a Scottish grandfather, made his debut for Gregor Townsend’s side in the second half of Saturday’s 16-15 defeat by the Wallabies, the side he last represented in their World Cup pool match victory over Georgia in October 2019.

“Look, I’m not going to lie. I came over here (to join Glasgow in 2021) thinking my Test career was probably over,” he said.

“I didn’t come over here specifically to play Test rugby. At that point, the rule didn’t exist. It was unplanned and a bit of a curveball, but I’ve loved every moment of it.

“After I got my cap, I said to the lads that I came over here in a bit of a weird place in my career. I wasn’t loving my rugby as much as maybe I used to.

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“I’m just thankful that I made this move. Not only to Glasgow, but to Scotland. The way the city and country have accepted me has just re-lit that fire inside me over the past 14 months or so.

“I said to the boys that I hope I can repay this faith over the next few weeks, months or years – whatever it may be. I’m happy with the decision I made.”

Dempsey is confident he still has plenty to offer on the international stage.

“I wouldn’t have made this decision if I didn’t think I was up to it,” he said. “Not only playing at this level, but making a statement.

“The way that Scotland play, I feel like it suits me well. Whether my role is to come off the bench and add impact, or add experience, I’m looking forward to it.

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“I’ve only been in camp for about a week. I’ve only heard Gregor speaking in training for a week. He’s saying all the right things and he’s the kind of coach you can get behind.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting all the boys. There’s something brewing here, which I want to be part of.”

Dempsey made his debut as a 60th-minute replacement on Saturday and admitted it was “weird” facing his former nation.

“There was obviously a big build-up during the week,” he said. “There was always the possibility of this happening and I’d play against Australia, so I kind of readied myself.

“Even when the moment came, it was very strange. At one moment, on the other side of the scrum, was Hoops (Michael Hooper). I’d played every pro game with him before I moved over here.

“It’s good for the plot, that one – to play against your old team. I was just happy to get out there, get my first cap and be welcomed by all the boys into the family.”

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J
JW 33 minutes ago
The rugby world is concerned about Australia but signs of recovery are palpable

Haha they are BS alright.. I first punched in the kakland Bristol as the destination (idk why when I'd only heard great theings of Stellenbosh) and then just typed Glasgow over it.


As long as you get that Australias picture, with just a few hours flight to where the best Clubs teams in the world are located, or 10 hours to where the richest are (holding most SA's greats) congested in Tokyo, is actually quite rosey, I have accomplished what I set out to do 😜


They've had some good games Glasgow so far, have to see if I can still catch that one. Interested in the Lions as well as it sounds like the pushed Leinster regardless of the scoreline. I stoped hearing of the jetlag complaint, and actually heard how techniques had made it less of an issue, but I agree its a better picture having only teams in the same timezone. I really would like the rest of Africa to be leapfroged into the pro era by some huge investment. What's your opinion on how all 4 squads are building relative to the old days, 2000' and 2010's? I've not actualy heard any sort of comparison to some of the great SR teams out of SA yet. Looking forward to seeing some of these fixtures hyped up once nov is gone and teams build towards 6N time, was some good hype excitment for rugby after the Cup so hope it returns.


Australia just need someone like Rassie to step in and take them forward, big 'if' though. Then the game there and in "skaapnarland" can get in on the hype! If with just a touch more reality in their boasts 😉

36 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
'Some young guys have really got us thinking': Jason Ryan reacts to Japan win

Tosi

Bell

Darry

Sititi

Ratima

Proctor

Perofeta

Love


Sure Injuries at Lock HB, loosies and FB made some of these new blood selections anything but daring, but just because you have a large bunch of outstanding talent that made them obvious selections doesn't mean you then have extra allowance to take an extra bunch of gambles.


Yeah I agree, I still think it's been the best selecting weve had in a long long time is all I'm saying.


Pero and Love were both injured, can't both come back and get a start at 15 and given Dmac has just made the transition to first five I don't mind they give him every game possible (in any other circumstance i see razor playing Pero at 10 and Love at 15 with no regrets). Mo'unga also got this game in 22' largely for the same reasons. Finau and DP got first crack. Then DP got injured and Blackadder was given a chance, before Sititi was tried next (and now back to Finau). Thats 2 of 3 (or 3/4) new guys getting a chance. Did you want both of those new fellas to play against Japan while also having a debutant start next to them? We were only leading that last fixture by 4 points you remember. They sent Ratima off to London instead of playing him, how is that not telling him they believe in him?


We'll be back to Sititi, Ardie, and Cane next week, theres no other way to break it to ya, don't cry or break anything, lets just hope they win for now. I'll take Ardie moving to 7, or Lakai coming on for Cane, or Barrett playing 6. I think one of them has to happen with their current prediciament and that's enough invention for me.

15 Go to comments
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