Adam Freier is worried he may not make Randwick's first-grade side. Phil Waugh is getting the "woollies" out to prepare for the traditional bone-chilling club training at Sydney University Oval tonight.
The seven Wallabies who sat on the bench against Ireland last Saturday night will be involved in a timely return to club football this weekend and all that it entails, including sausage sandwiches with the lot, deranged ground announcers, Rat pies, green frogs, meat raffles and cold showers.
And they are relishing the opportunity, including Ryan Cross, who will appear for a new club when he pulls on the Eastern Suburbs colours against Gordon at Chatswood Oval.
For Freier, his return to Randwick may be in reserve grade because he is mindful of the old Galloping Green edict that internationals get no favours when they return to the club ranks. You fit in wherever there's a hole.
So the Wallabies hooker is uncertain what time he'll be running onto Coogee Oval against Southern Districts on Saturday.
Still, the attraction of club football remains strong with Freier. It has a lot to do with the aroma that wafts through his house each week during footy season.
Freier lives across the road from Randwick's training ground at Latham Park, the venue for the club's renowned Thursday night team barbeques.
"I tend to smell the sausages very heavily on Thursday nights," Freier said yesterday.
Waugh is expecting his skills as a water boy to be the source of much mirth when he arrives at University Oval tonight in preparation for his first club appearance since the 2005 grand final.
Although his club appearances have been limited recently, the Waratahs skipper has often attended games to be the water boy, even for the lower grades.
"In club rugby, you've got mates all through the grades, so that's why I went down and helped out in fourth grade," Waugh said yesterday.
"The guys are looking forward not just to playing first grade but also to get back to club training and running around with the fourths and fifths, who you often don't see.
"So I'll be back there on Thursday night. It's getting cold this time of the year, so I'll have to get the woollies out. I'm also looking forward to playing and having that freedom in a not so stressful environment."
Waugh said that only after discovering Wycliff Palu and George Smith were not playing for University's opponent, Manly.
He also remembers when the Wallabies and club ranks were more closely aligned.
"I remember when I was a ball-boy at Warringah and going to a Test match on a Saturday night, and seeing Campo and Poidevin and the likes come out and play for Randwick the next day," Waugh said. "Over the last few years we've seen a bit of a division between club rugby and the higher levels, and it's important to have that connection back. All the guys here enjoy going back and playing club rugby. So the more we do it, the better for the game."
Meanwhile, seven of the 30-man Wallabies squad who missed the Ireland Test will play for Australia A against Tonga at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.
The most interesting Australia A selection is Waratahs tight-head prop Sekope Kepu, who could find himself in the Test squad if he excels during the Pacific Nations Cup. Mark Chisholm, Ben Alexander, Richard Brown, Stephen Hoiles, Digby Ioane, Brett Sheehan and Lachie Turner will all play in Australia A's first home game of the tournament.
