The All Blacks who loom as crucial pieces in Wallabies long-term plans
Even as the pain of watching premiership glory slip through his fingers lingered, Aidan Ross was casting his eye towards the next phase of career.
A phase which, perhaps unexpectedly, has the potential to shape the Wallabies' future, and deliver the gold jumper back to the top of the world rugby podium.
'It's been a quick transition, but sometimes that's the best way to do it,' Ross said, who arrived at the Queensland Reds after playing in the Chiefs' Super Rugby Pacific grand final defeat to the Crusaders.
'To be fair, I'm pretty used to the disappointment – I've been in a couple of finals now – but when one door closes, another one opens.'
Ross, who in 2022 took on Ireland for the All Blacks, will unite at Ballymore with the re-signed Jeffery Toomaga-Allen , while fellow Kiwi Alex Hodgman is understood to be holding off on contract extension talks as he overcomes a shoulder concern.
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They form a trio of former Test props with the goal of transforming Queensland's front-row prospects from emerging talents to bona fide stars – among them Massimo De Lutiis, Nick Bloomfield and Trevor King.
'We touched on it a little bit, but we're still at the same time trying to get the best out of me and what I can deliver to the club on the field,' Ross said.
'But I do get a sense of joy passing down knowledge to the next front rowers coming through, and the clubs got some lads in that boat.'
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Even as the pain of watching premiership glory slip through his fingers lingered, Aidan Ross was casting his eye towards the next phase of career. A phase which, perhaps unexpectedly, has the potential to shape the Wallabies' future, and deliver the gold jumper back to the top of the world rugby podium. 'It's been a quick transition, but sometimes that's the best way to do it,' Ross said, who arrived at the Queensland Reds after playing in the Chiefs' Super Rugby Pacific grand final defeat to the Crusaders. 'To be fair, I'm pretty used to the disappointment – I've been in a couple of finals now – but when one door closes, another one opens.' Ross, who in 2022 took on Ireland for the All Blacks, will unite at Ballymore with the re-signed Jeffery Toomaga-Allen , while fellow Kiwi Alex Hodgman is understood to be holding off on contract extension talks as he overcomes a shoulder concern. Loading They form a trio of former Test props with the goal of transforming Queensland's front-row prospects from emerging talents to bona fide stars – among them Massimo De Lutiis, Nick Bloomfield and Trevor King. 'We touched on it a little bit, but we're still at the same time trying to get the best out of me and what I can deliver to the club on the field,' Ross said. 'But I do get a sense of joy passing down knowledge to the next front rowers coming through, and the clubs got some lads in that boat.'
