INJURIES CAN’T KEEP ROB DOWN

ROB Leota’s journey to his Wallabies starting debut is one that began against the odds.

Injuries plagued the early stages of his career, starting with a severe ACL tear, which was followed by further damage to the same knee.

Having just launched his professional rugby career, the setbacks nearly drove Leota from the game.

Growing up he had ridden a constant wave of success and highlight reel moments. But suddenly, having reached his lifelong goal of rugby’s biggest stage, he was dealt blow after blow.

Leota said had it not been for the support networks in his corner he may never have made his Wallabies debut, coming off the bench last week against South Africa.

Now he gets the chance to start in the gold jersey for the first time against Argentina in Townsville, and he said he had been reflecting on those trying periods ever since his name was called.

“It happened very early, I was still only 19 and I’d just come into pro footy. If I didn’t have the supportive network I had around me I don’t know if I would be here to be honest,” Leota said.

“You go through a lot of highs and then you come into pro footy and it’s just low after low each year.

“That’s all in the past now, but sometimes you just reflect on it and when you take the field you’re grateful to have the support of your family and friends and the boys at Melbourne Rebels.”

Leota’s inclusion comes at the expense of incumbent Lachlan Swinton, but coach Dave Rennie said the change was not necessarily based on the latter’s performance.

He said the Wallabies squad had a wealth of options in terms of selections, holding them in good stead to win three consecutive games for the first time under his tutelage. “He (Swinton) has worked really hard and got himself in good nick, so he’ll continue to

impress for selection next week,” Rennie said.

“(But) we’re pretty keen to reward Rob, he’s been with us fulltime. We’ve got genuine competition for places, we’re starting to create depth and we can only fit so many numbers in.”

Leota admits his starting selection came as a massive shock, not believing he would be in the mix considering the likes of returning veteran Sean Mcmahon were in camp.

But the 24-year-old lock said the backing of Rennie had instilled in him he was there for a reason: he was the man capable of standing up to a fearsome Pumas forward pack.

“It was crazy, I got caught off guard. I didn’t really get any comms before it, so it was an unreal moment to be able to tell my family,” Leota said.

“It gives me a lot of confidence that the coaches believe in me and back me to do a job.”