Having had a bittersweet return to the Test arena, Wallabies fullback Jock Campbell is hoping for another opportunity in Australia\u2019s No.15 jersey on Saturday in Brisbane against France.<\/p>\n
The Queensland Reds star was rewarded for his impressive Super Rugby Pacific form with a Wallabies recall in Australia\u2019s first Test of the year, a Nations Championship battle with Ireland in Sydney.<\/p>\n
It was Campbell\u2019s first Wallabies appearance since late 2022, but as much as he was happy to again represent his nation, the weekend\u2019s 33-31 loss to the Irish at Allianz Stadium was hard to take for the 31-year-old custodian.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were very disappointed, but it was a big moment for me and my family, and it was good to share that with them,\u201d said Campbell in reflecting on a team and individual performance that included a try of his own.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just a few moments. They were very clinically cool when they got some opportunities. We let a couple slip. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s hard to take because we did have our opportunities, but we\u2019re excited to (have the chance to) rectify that this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to do it on the field, so while it might be encouraging, until we do that and get over the hump, we don\u2019t really want to be in the same position next week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we do get those moments, we\u2019ve got to nail them around our roles around securing those line breaks and not turning the ball over in those (dangerous) areas. (It\u2019s) just trying to give them as little opportunity as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Campbell said to limit France\u2019s chances, the Wallabies would need to improve their discipline after giving away 12 penalties to the Irish.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll rugby, a big part of it is discipline,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to work on that as a full squad. It\u2019s not just one moment, it\u2019s probably moments leading up to that as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know how important letting teams in our 22 (metre zone) is, and how hard it is to stop teams close to the try-line, so not giving them access is a big priority for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Wallabies are hopeful that halves combination Ryan Lonergan and Carter Gordon will be fit for this weekend\u2019s Suncorp Stadium clash after being forced off the field against the Irish with respective throat and calf problems.<\/p>\n
Wallabies assistant coach Tom Donnelly said: \u201cI think Ryan\u2019s good. I\u2019m not sure about Carter. We\u2019ll get an update later (on Monday night).\u201d<\/p>\n
Donnelly was pleased with the way halfback Lonergan and flyhalf Gordon combined during their time together on the park in the opening half against Ireland. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe started really well, then we made a few mistakes … particularly in that five minutes before half-time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n