Grand slam tour: Pull of home too great for Sekope Kepu

Sekope Kepu only realised the extent of his desire to play for Australia when he left to play his rugby in France.

Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu hands off Welsh five-eighth Dan Biggar during Australia’s win in Cardiff earlier this month.

Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu says he realised the true extent of his desire to play for Australia when he left to play his rugby in France earlier this year.

The tighthead prop walked out on a lucrative deal with Bordeaux in June, with two years remaining on his contract, to return to Australia after his family struggled to adjust to the new lifestyle in France.

Back in Paris for the first time since his departure, Kepu opened up on the experience.

“Family is a massive thing for myself, I struggled and the family struggled a bit, two boys under three for my wife, by herself and away from everyone and what she’s used to. That was always tough,” Kepu said. “But it was a learning experience for both of us.

“It was a good reality check to come over here. To get the opportunity to play Test rugby is very rare, so everything worked out in the end, and I’m very grateful to be back here in France with the Wallabies.”

Kepu could be one of several ­players rested for this weekend’s match against France as coach ­Michael Cheika looks to give squad members more game time.

But the front-rower is convinced the team that takes the field at Stade de France will start with more ferocity than last weekend, when the Wallabies prevailed 23-22 over Scotland after trailing for all but the final four minutes of the Test.

A number of new players have entered camp this week in Paris, including Luke Morahan, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Sam Carter, Paddy Ryan, Toby Smith, Andrew Ready, Nic Stirzaker and Jono Lance.

“We had a meeting on Sunday and the jerseys are open to everybody,” Kepu said.

“Regardless of who puts it on this weekend, it’s going to be a quality team and the boys are ­pretty ready to rip into each other,” he said.