When Ollie Hoskins took the field for London Irish against Saracens last Saturday, his wildest daydreams probably couldn't script what would follow him in the next seven days.
Just 24 hours after a thrilling after-the-siren 34-all draw, Hoskins rocketed into contention for Wallabies selection after tight head props Taniela Tupou and Allan Alaalatoa suffered concussions during their 15-13 defeat to Scotland.
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Hoskins received the heads up he may be called into camp as they monitored the pair's return to play from scrum coach Petrus du Plessis, who played together at the London-based club in 2017-18.
The 28-year-old was pulled out of a gym session and into camp after they were ruled out, having to rush home to grab sufficient gear for the rest of the Spring Tour.
This saw the former Force prop named in the squad on Thursday evening (Australian time), realising a dream he thought was over.
When team manager Chris Webb read out 18. Ollie Hoskins as part of the side to face England, the emotions took over in a video posted to the Wallabies social media as Hoskins struggled to find words after the announcement.
“It’s pretty hard to put into words,” a teary Hoskins said on the announcement. “If you told me this was going to happen on Saturday night even after I played for London Irish I’d say you were kidding.
“I don’t really know what to say. A wave of emotions hit me then but I need to re-focus and get my head on the job but it’s a special moment for myself and my family.
“Moving over here, I thought the dream had ended but with the laws relaxing, I’ve been given this opportunity. I never saw it coming and the wave of emotion hit and I started crying to guys I’d never met until a couple of days ago.
“It means the world to me.”
Despite a quick turnaround for both the team and Hoskins, coach Dave Rennie and James Slipper, the man he will likely replace if called upon on Sunday, praised his diligence and energy as they look to end a recent seven-game losing streak to England.
“He’s pretty emotional,” Rennie said on Thursday.
“He came on our radar because we’re constantly looking at players all around the world and wanting to bring them back home to strengthen our competition and press for selection for the Wallabies.
“He’s obviously at London Irish and Petrus (du Plessis) was there for a while so knew him very well. He was our option over here if we lost a couple of players. He’s come in and a real credit to him, he’s very diligent, got his head around our structures and it’s very exciting for him and his family.”
“Ollie’s comes in, had a couple of days to upskill himself on all our moves and how we want to play at top of the scrummaging, he’s been going well in the Prem over here and he’s fit in well,” Slipper added.
“He’s really excited to get the opportunity for sure.”
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