Julian Huxley

CA Brumbies utility back Julian Huxley has returned to Canberra after representing the Australia during the Rugby World Cup. Huxley made his Wallaby debut against Wales in Sydney in May before being awarded the Wallabies’ Rookie of the Year and earning himself a ticket to France. Brumby Jack caught up with Hux during his first training session back with the CA Brumbies.

Brumby Jack: How was your Rugby World Cup experience?
Julian Huxley: It was fantastic, barring the last 80 minutes. It’s something I experienced in a limited sense when I played in the Rugby World Cup Sevens, but there’s a definitely a feeling with all those international sides that it’s a great atmosphere because it’s so inclusive and far different from a normal Test. There’s the whole carnival atmosphere and knowing that anything can happen which makes it a really great experience.

BJ: At the beginning of the year, did you ever think that it was going to be a reality that you would be playing in a Rugby World Cup?
JH: I thought it would be a tough ask but at the same time I also thought I was capable of playing in it. Whether that was going to happen or not was a different question. As it turns out I played well enough at the Brumbies and luckily for me there were a couple of injuries. That gave me a chance to prove myself in the first part of the domestic Test season. I was definitely pinching myself over there [in France] considering where I was at the beginning of the year, so in the end things couldn’t have panned out better for me.

BJ: You played a role in the domestic Test season and in the Rugby World Cup. Do you feel you’ve cemented yourself in the Wallabies?
JH: Far from it. I think this year’s really important to keep working hard and not get complacent. I think certainly from an experience point-of-view I feel older, more mature and a bit more confident, so hopefully that all points to better performances. I figure if I don’t try to keep on improving I won’t stay in the side, so I’m far from cemented. I’ve sort of got a foot in this year but I guess I’ve got to jam it open by playing well for the Brumbies in 2008. It’s a big challenge for some of the older guys, like myself, to fill those holes made through the loss of guys like Steve Larkham, George [Gregan] and also Stirlo [Stirling Mortlock] who will be missing for the first part of the season.

BJ: During the World Cup there was some footage of you speaking some French to the locals. Are you fluent in French?
JH: I’m not quite fluent but I did it for six years at school as part of my HSC. We were there for a good period of time so you pick up a fair bit. I really enjoyed that part of it. You can understand a bit and it’s really exciting when you improve. I did a bit of work on ‘the books’ over there so I can have a bit of fun with it. It’s a great part of touring and it’s a good opportunity to open the senses up and have good time.

BJ: What have you been up to since the Rugby World Cup? Have you thought about rugby at all or have you tried to get away from it?
JH: I spent a good couple of weeks over in France after the [Rugby World] Cup and then went to New York for three weeks, so I’ve had a good rest. But the whole time in the back of my mind I was really looking forward to getting back to the Brumbies and hopefully improving on last year. With last season being my first year back [at the Brumbies] I really enjoyed it, as it’s a great atmosphere without the same sort of pressure you get in a Test team – so I was really keen to get back into training.

BJ: You mentioned taking on a senior role within the CA Brumbies this year, where do you see your role within the side from a positional standpoint?
JH: I think everyone’s role has to be where the team needs you. I think my best position is fullback and I’d probably rather play there. I made the Wallabies as a fullback and I think that’s probably my best chance of staying there. But I think over time I’ve picked up a skill set that’s allowed me to play a number of positions and when push comes to shove I’ll play where the coach asks me to and where the team need me. We’ve got a few good young guys that can play flyhalf in Christian [Lealiifano] and Matty Toomua. Hopefully I can help them along in making the learning curve easier. So while I’d prefer to play fullback, it’s something I’ve got to talk about with Laurie [Fisher] and the other coaches.