Aidan Ross hasn’t spoken to Joe Schmidt, but admits it would be “a pretty full-on month” if the soon-to-be-eligible Wallaby earns a Test call-up.
The loosehead prop signed with the Queensland Reds from the Chiefs late last year and has joined them this week, fresh off a third straight Super Rugby grand final defeat.
He is available for Wednesday’s clash with the Lions at Suncorp Stadium.
The Reds are set to field a side brimming with a long list of Wallabies hopefuls that now includes their Kiwi recruit.
Born in Gosford, Ross moved with his New Zealand parents to Tauranga when he was eight and played his lone All Blacks Test on July 9, 2022.
A three-year gap between Tests is World Rugby’s requirement before a player can switch allegiances.
It means Ross will be free to play for Australia in two weeks, days after next Sunday’s clash with Fiji but in time for the Wallabies’ first Test against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane on July 19.
An immediate call-up appears unlikely given Schmidt’s preference for cohesion, but with 15 Tests to play this year and injuries inevitable, the 29-year-old comes into contention.
Aidan Ross poses during the New Zealand All Blacks 2022 headshots session at the Park Hyatt Hotel on June 21, 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
“It’d be awesome,” Ross said of joining Reds teammate Alex Hodgman and becoming the fifth man to play Tests for both countries.
“I was born here and I’ve got plans … to set up a life here with my family post-rugby.
“There’s been no chat there (with Schmidt), no comms.
“I’ve just been doing my thing and if the opportunity arises then so be it.
“She’d be a pretty full-on month, eh.”
Ross came off the bench and played most of the second half of the Chiefs’ 16-12 final loss to the Crusaders.
In 2017 he featured in the New Zealand Barbarians’ 13-7 loss to the touring Lions, then fronted up again for the Chiefs in a 34-6 loss two weeks later.
“I remember packing down against (former England prop) Joe Marler … the chat on him, it was outrageous,” Ross said.
“With the Baa-Baas, it was just a whole lot of lads getting together and trying to do something pretty awesome. .. we got pretty close. It was an awesome week.
“Hopefully I get another crack at them again next Wednesday.”
