New Wallabies lock Blake Enever barely had time to contemplate his Test debut, but that might just have been the best thing for him.
Enever received a last-minute call-up into the Wallabies’ side after Adam Coleman withdrew with a thumb injury, thrown into the Twickenham cauldron against a rampaging England.
Speaking to reporters after the match, a suit just a little bit too small was a sign of the haste with which he has come into the squad and the matchday 23, too soon to have team kit fitted out.
The 26-year-old was only told of his debut on Friday lunchtime, ahead of captain’s run, and the forward said that helped with sliding into the Test team.
“It’s probably a blessing in disguise that it happened so quickly,” he said.
“I just went into the preparation for the game and all the boys got around me. It was unreal.”
It all became pretty real for Enever when he felt his first hit on the international stage, cleaning out rucks and notching carries.
“It’s that next step up and the speed is pretty unreal,” he said.
“You just try and keep up with it and do as much as you can.
“The hits and carries hurt a bit more but you’re caught up in it all and it’s such a great experience.”
Walllabies coach Cheika was pleased with his newest Test charge, who threw himself into the contest on the biggest stage.
“Thought he played pretty well big game to come into,” he said.
“(He) did his job exceptionally well.
“(He) played longer than I thought he would and really got involved in the game.
“Feel for him he lost, but he should be very proud of himself. Any tight 5 would have been tested there.”
Enever is a strong chance of being involved next weekend against Scotland, with Ned Hanigan and Adam Coleman both going home with injuries, while Lukhan Tui works his way back from a hamstring issue.
“I’m not entirely sure what’s going to happen in terms of selection next week,” he said.
“I’ll put my hand up and hopefully get another run next week. It’d be awesome to play next week as well.”
Australia flies to Edinburgh on Sunday ahead of next weekend’s clash with Scotland.
The Wallabies take on Scotland on Saturday November 25, kicking off at 2:30pm local, Sunday 1:30am AEDT, LIVE on beIN Sports and SBS Viceland.
