Latest Wallabies call-up Carlo Tizzano was spending his time recovering in an ice bath when a life-changing email gave him a bigger shock than the freezing conditions could ever.
Tizzano is one of several new faces in the 36-player squad for the two Tests against the Springboks after a strong season for the Western Force.
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The breakdown tyro was named Force Members’ MVP on his first full season back with the club after returning from a quick stint in England in 2023.
The 24-year-old comes into the squad with Fraser McReight (finger) and Liam Wright (shoulder) ruled out with injury off the back of a hat-trick for UWA (Uni of Western Australia) a fortnight ago in the Fortescue Premier Grade
“Yeah definitely didn’t expect it, that’s for sure,” he said via Western Force Media.
“I’ve been enjoying my time with UWA but I had to call Greg Holmes the head coach and let me know I won’t be able to play this weekend, I’ve got another job to do.
“I was just in the ice bath and got an email sent. I was just checking my timer and I got an email sent through just saying ‘Wallabies selection letter’…I couldn’t believe it to be fair.”
Tizzano was on a quick flight to Brisbane ahead of the squad assembling on Saturday via a manic dash to the shops to buy a new pair of boots after breaking his old ones.
It reflects his tireless playing style with the openside a competitive beast ever since coming through the junior ranks in WA.
He carried that fire throughout his stint at the NSW Waratahs and wants to get the chance to deliver against the world champions.
“Every Australian rugby kid’s dream is to play for the Wallabies,” Tizzano said.
“You see them signing the anthem and playing in front of all those people against these awesome teams. The opportunity to potentially play against the world champs, the two-time (defending) world champs will be awesome…I’m just going to rip into training as best I can”
This is heightened by the Springboks coming to WA for the first time since 2017.
“There’s a lot of Springboks supporters here in Perth as well so it’s going to be an awesome game,” Tizzano added.
“It’s just going to keep raising the awareness for rugby in Perth.”
