Wallabies debutant Jordan Uelese was labelled "fresh meat" by a hungry Springboks pack on Saturday evening but weathered the storm to win admirers and fulfil his No.1 goal in life of wearing a gold jersey.Â
The 20-year-old, with just 28 minutes of Super Rugby to his name, was thrust into the spotlight in the 18th minute of Australia's 23-23 draw with South Africa when starting hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau left the field after copping a shoulder to the eye from Jesse Kriel.Â
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Uelese, who would have expected to potentially come on in the dying minutes, had no time to take in the sense of occasion but knew he had made the step up when South Africa's forwards began licking their lips and throwing barbs his way.Â
"As soon as I came on ... the Springboks really chatted out from the start ... but we always knew that was going to happen," Uelese said. "Fresh meat and those kind of [words were used] but it was awesome just to be in the thick of it.Â
"It happened so quick. They were like, 'Jordan, you're on' and I just had to quickly run on. I had a job to do and I think the lads prepared me very well if the opportunity did arise I'd be ready to do the job but I was pretty nervous at first.Â
"It happened so quick that I just had to go on and go straight into fifth gear."Â
Asked about Uelese's debut, coach Michael Cheika said: "I thought he did pretty well. He got in there first scrum, did really well. He had a good lineout … hit the mark. He's a talent. With the guys fatiguing a little bit I thought he added a lot of steel in the front row at the scrum."Â
Jordan Uelese - Wallaby No.912 Kid's got a big future pic.twitter.com/KLkOa2ZYkD
— Tom Decent (@tomdecent) September 10, 2017
![Fresh meat: Jordan Uelese held his own against the Springboks in his first Test.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170912063140im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/q/2/m/v/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gyeh0g.png/1505054579735.jpg)
Uelese was born in New Zealand but moved to Melbourne with his family when he was young and it was there he developed a love for rugby and a dream to one day represent the Wallabies.Â
In Perth, in front of 17,528 fans, most of whom were wearing Western Force attire, Uelese proved the doubters wrong with a strong display in his first international appearance, making 31 metres from four carries.Â
"Unreal, definitely a dream come true," Uelese said. "My No.1 goal in life was to put on that gold jersey and to fulfil that, I've got to go find new goals now.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet. Looking around and donning the gold, it doesn't really feel real just yet but I'll let it sink in and enjoy this moment with my family, who obviously travelled from Melbourne.Â
"Just running out there and singing your national anthem, it's an unreal feeling. I tried to hold back the tears.
"The adrenaline rush was huge, just the build-up was immense. I think everyone couldn't really believe that a 20-year-old was going to be on the bench for the Wallabies with not much experience. The boys really prepared me for this opportunity that arose and I think it was awesome that the senior lads got around me and it's awesome that Cheik brought me in at such an early stage just to feed off these senior players."Â
With Stephen Moore set to re-join the Wallabies squad in Canberra ahead of Saturday's Test against Argentina, Tolu Latu will drop out of the group.Â
While it means Uelese is likely to be punted from the matchday 23, the youngster says the excitement of Test footy is one that he could get used to.Â
"Now that I've had a taste of what Test footy is like, it definitely does encourage [me], it does give me the confidence in terms of pushing for that No.2Â jersey at the Rebels and also continuing my Test career," Uelese said. "Obviously there's a one-off Test and hopefully I'll build to many more Tests to come.
"I'm still pushing Taf and Moorey because it definitely makes us better players at the end of the day. If that competition wasn't there, I think we'd be mediocre hookers."Â
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