Tom Wright reveals why he stayed loyal to the Wallabies after being snubbed for the 2023 World Cup

He’s now among the best fullbacks in the game, but two years ago Wallabies star Tom Wright was snubbed for the World Cup. He reveals why he stayed loyal to Australian rugby.

Australian rugby is lucky Tom Wright doesn’t hold grudges.

If he did, the Wallabies could find themselves preparing to take on the combined might of the British and Irish Lions without their star fullback.

It’s a credit to Wright’s loyalty to the gold jersey that he chose to stick around for the Lions series because no-one would have blamed him if he walked away after the shoddy way he was treated.

Now recognised as one of the best fullbacks in the game, it’s baffling to consider that just two years ago, Wright was controversially left off Eddie Jones’ Wallabies’ squad for the 2023 World Cup.

It was a head-scratching decision at the time that ended in tears when the Wallabies crashed out of the World Cup and Jones quit to take up a job in Japan.

But thankfully it is one selection blunder that has a happy ending after Wright was reinstated by new head coach Joe Schmidt and he harbours no bitter feelings.

Tom Wright is regarded as one of the best fullbacks in the game. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s your job as a professional to deal with adversity and it is what it is,” Wright said. “I’m not the first guy to miss out on selection, guys missed out this time around.

“Part and parcel of how you deal with being a professional, whether as a sportsman or whatever it is, is missing out on stuff.

“It’s part of life and how you bounce back I suppose is probably a better reflection of where you are in your career.”

Although he was reassured by ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham that he had a bright future in Australian rugby, nothing was guaranteed and Wright still had to earn his spot in the Wallabies like everyone else.

He did that, and more, establishing himself as one of Australia’s most consistent and high-performing backs who is finally reaping the rewards.

A 27-year-old NRL convert, Tom Wright has been included in the Australian squad for the warm-up Test against Fiji. Picture: Getty Images

The 27-year-old NRL convert has been included in the Australian squad for the warm-up Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6 and is considered a shoo-in for the three-Test series with the Lions, starting July 19, where he will be a key player because of the expected frequency of high kicks the tourists will pepper him with.

“I definitely personally feel that this is where I belong. I feel like I do enough every week to prepare myself to give myself the best opportunity to play well,” Wright said.

“Do I feel hard done by or anything? I don’t feel that there’s any reason to hold onto stuff like that. It is what it is, what happened in 2023.

“Was I disappointed? For sure. Did I want to be part of it? Definitely. Was it something I’ll remember for a long time? Yeah, absolutely, but am I excited by the chance to play Fiji next week, bloody oath.

“If you’re going to keep looking in the rearview mirror, you’re gonna be sort of panning back on a pretty long career. I’d rather just look forward.”

Tom Wright looms as key player for the Wallabies in their upcoming series with the British and Irish Lions. PictureL AFP

While Schmidt has yet to reveal his line-up to face Fiji after picking a 36-man squad, the competition for places is intense.

Schmidt is a known stickler for detail but after a year in charge the players are steadily becoming more familiar with how he goes about his business.

So, there was no time for idle chit-chat when the squad members assembled at the team hotel in Sydney’s eastern suburbs before hitting the training paddock on Monday.

“The excitement’s building and yes, competition for spots started heating up today, which is awesome.” Wright said.

“This morning was less about trying to push over a fresh load of information and plays and structures onto everyone’s plate after breakfast.

“It was more about a refresher and getting everyone back into language and lingo and everyone just hitting the ground running.

“Last year was a lot of trying to digest and absorb stuff, but today it was just resharpening the sword.”

Originally published as Tom Wright reveals why he stayed loyal to the Wallabies after being snubbed for the 2023 World Cup