Mumm sees why Kane will be able
WALLABY Dean Mumm welcomes the likelihood that former pack partner Kane Douglas will return to Australia even though it means a potential roadblock at lock for his own World Cup dreams.
Two months ago, Mumm was still with English club Exeter and off the radar even for a 40-man Wallabies train-on squad so making yesterday’s cut to 31 is a big win in itself.
His team-first attitude to the Douglas case has pervaded everything the Wallabies have done at Kawana Waters’ Sunshine Coast Stadium this week where the team’s motto “Stronger As One” has been emblazoned on the scoreboard above training.
“You want ever more depth for the Wallabies so Kane coming back would be a perfect problem,” Mumm said.
“I play lock and backrow so ideally we are not going for exactly the same spot but, you know, we’ve clashed heads a few times on the field packing side-by-side for NSW.
“If he comes back, so be it. In rugby you don’t survive if you shy away from the contest.
“I just can’t say I’ll be stoked to see ‘Kano’ in a Reds jersey.”
Playing for the Reds next season is the spin-off to Douglas’ urgency to be closer to his widower father Chris on the NSW Far North Coast and brother Luke, the Gold Coast Titans prop.
With fiancee Jennarly expecting their first child and having family on the Gold Coast, Douglas is seeking a release on compassionate grounds from Irish club Leinster to come home one year into a three-year deal.
Mumm, 31, is resettling in Sydney for wife Sarah’s arrival and he fully understands the family reasons that Douglas is citing for a quick return.
“I understand his need to be home and having support around you is a big factor.’’