Jack of all trades
IN the absence of Israel Folau, the Wallabies need an X-factor attacking threat who can conjure miracles to end their 32-year losing streak to the All Blacks in Auckland, and that man will be Jack Maddocks.
The 21-year-old could have easily been fixing another hole in Australian sport – the top order of the men’s cricket team.
Maddocks, a two-time NSW cricketer of the year in his age group, was amused to hear comments by Shane Warne this week.
“I’m loving the path that footy is taking me but I did read an article the other day which was interesting, Shane Warne saying that there’s no batting talent coming through, because I was a young batsman five years ago when they were falling out of trees,” Maddocks said.
Life took him in a rapid new trajectory when, from
V5.35PM SATURDAY, EDEN PARK BLEDISLOE CUP, SECOND TEST the third XV at school in 2015, Maddocks was picked to go on the Wallabies’ spring tour at the end of last year.
Now, after an impressive Test debut off the bench last week when he scored Australia’s only try, he will start on the wing at Eden Park, where the Wallabies have not beaten the All Blacks since 1986.
“I’ve played there once, we won this year with the (Melbourne) Rebels. So what hoodoo?” Maddocks said.
The Wallabies will likely push Dane Haylett-Petty to fullback in place of the injured Folau, with Maddocks and Marika Koroibete to form the back three.
Maddocks, who once floated the idea of playing in the Big Bash in between rugby seasons, can barely fathom how his dream of playing professional cricket has turned into him being Australia’s potential saviour in a Bledisloe Test in Auckland.
“No regrets, I’m loving what I’m doing, having so much fun and coming to cool places like this,” he said.
“And I’m also loving the journey it’s taking not only me but my friends and my family.