KANE DOUGLAS’ WALLABIES career is on hold for the time being, but the 25-year-old is enthusiastic about his start to life at Leinster.
Having won a Super Rugby title with the Waratahs earlier this year and racked up 14 international caps the second row was something of a loss for Australian rugby, even if he was last capped in 2013.
The appointment of ‘Tahs coach Michael Chieka to take charge of the Wallabies after Ewen McKenzie resigned opens up the possibility of Douglas returning to the fold, but for now the rules state that overseas-based players cannot line out for Australia.
“I knew what I was giving up by signing over here,” says Douglas of moving away from his homeland a year out from the 2015 World Cup. The lure of new experiences with Leinster proved too much for the 6ft 8ins lock.
“It was a massive decision. I had time to think about it and ask all the people I needed to ask the questions I needed to ask.
I just needed to weigh up everything and the things that have happened in my life. I think I would have kicked myself if I hadn’t decided to come over here.”
And yet, there has been some speculation that Chieka may pressurise the WRU into making an exception for Douglas next month, allowing him to hook up with the Wallabies on their end-of-season tour.
“I haven’t heard anything on it, unless rules change or something,” answers Douglas when asked if he has had been in contact with Chieka recently. “My focus is on playing well here. I’d be very flattered if he did, but I’m not worrying about that.”
The past two weekends have seen Douglas dipping his toes into European club competition for the first time. Matt O’Connor has been pleased with his new signing’s impact, but Douglas himself will look for improved performances in the coming months.
“It’s pretty quick,” says Douglas in comparing European competition to Super Rugby.
“I think it would be pretty similar. It’s just good to buy into the tradition of playing in these different competitions.
In Australia, we’ve just got Super Rugby, so it’s good to go from one week playing Pro12 and the next playing in Europe. It’s a bit of a step up and it’s been fun so far.”
While Douglas’ achievements so far in rugby are all the more impressive when compared with locks of his age elsewhere, the 25-year-old places weightier demands on himself on the pitch.
Having been signed to fill the space left by Leo Cullen’s retirement, there is something of a leadership void to be accounted for too.
“I don’t feel the pressure on me for that at all, but I want to grow as a player and be more of a leader.
“I probably haven’t done that role at the Waratahs or anything, so it’s going to be good for me having those guys around. Leo is here and I’ve just got to push myself into those roles and lead by example.”
Douglas’ shift to Europe has not been all about the rugby, although he stresses that signing for Leinster will “make me a better player.” He’s a professional first and foremost, but Douglas is also a young man who wants to see the world outside Australia.
“Europe is all pretty close, you can go anywhere. It was definitely a mixture of the two; I think the rugby will be good for me. Then if I get a spare week or spare weekend here and there, I can go and visit places.
I’m actually not even going anywhere in Europe next week, I’m going to South Africa. My missus is from South Africa, so we’re going to go visit her family next week.”
The laid back Douglas has been enjoying life in Ireland so far, having found “a nice little house” in Dublin and being pleasantly surprised to find himself still wearing flip flops in October – “We call them thongs at home, I can’t call them thongs here!”
His calm demeanour off the pitch belies the aggression that Douglas brings on game day, propelling his 125kg frame into contact with consistent commitment. O’Connor and his coaching staff will look for the Australian to set an example for other to follow.
