Western Force winger Dylan Pietsch is confident in his fitness as he targets a return to the Wallabies set-up — but has acknowledged the need for patience amid their good form and an outside back logjam.
Pietsch reinforced his credentials as one of Australia’s best wingers as he starred in Western Force’s 53-26 win over the Waratahs in Super Rugby AUS grand final.
As the Force claimed their first trophy since 2019’s National Rugby Championship, Pietsch finished off a beautifully-weighted Kurtley Beale try early in the first 40 to help carry his side to a commanding half-time lead, before he added another two late in the match to complete a hat-trick.
It was Pietsch’s second game back from a foot issue which has continued an unfortunate trend of injuries striking down the physical, aggressive winger.
Two years ago, Pietsch impressed early in the Wallabies’ famous win over England at Twickenham before succumbing to a calf injury.
Last year, he scored tries in back-to-back wins against the British and Irish Lions and South Africa, but broke his jaw in the latter game and missed more time.
And last month, when it appeared he was going to start against Argentina, Pietsch suffered a foot injury, having missed the start of Force’s Super Rugby Pacific season early this year with an issue in his other foot.
But after paying a full 80 for the first time in more than three months in Force’s thrashing of the Waratahs on Saturday, Pietsch said he was feeing good about his body and had no pain in his foot.
“It’s actually a lot better than I thought. I’m really happy with getting through it,” he said.
“Playing footy, that’s all I want to do and I’ve had a few setbacks, but I’m keen to get a few back-to-back games, keep building forward and hopefully just throughout the back end of the season, be where I want to be.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself and my ability, but it’s just good to play footy. This is a game that I love to play, and as much as fun as training and and rehab is, playing games is why I play footy.”
Pietsch said there were no feelings of frustration despite his latest injury meaning he missed the Wallabies’ morae-boosting with over South Africa at Optus Stadium and inclusion in their subsequent Bledisloe Cup squad.
In his absence, Max Jorgensen and Joseph Suaalii impressed on the wings, while Tom Wright enjoyed one of his best games at full-back since tearing his ACL last year and Harry Potter has been consistent under new coach Les Kiss.
Having met with Kiss during the national team’s stay in Perth, Pietsch was confident of paying some part in their spring tour.
“If I do get the call, I’ll try and be as ready as I can, and I feel like I’ve taken that approach. This kind of adversity and that kind of stuff is what makes it through footy,” he said.
“I’ve been a professional now for 10 years, so it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. I’m pretty happy in my process and what I can do. I’m ready for the Wallabies if I do get the call.
“You don’t want to change a winning side — if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s really good to see them winning, and if I do go into that environment, I’m really happy to add what I can.”
