Wallabies playmaker Christian Leali'ifano says his triumphant Test return in Brisbane on Saturday was "just an added bonus" after a life-threatening battle with cancer.
Leali'ifano threw down the gauntlet to teammate and Test rival Bernard Foley with a tough and composed 50-minute performance in Australia's fortifying 16-10 win over Argentina.
He's back: Christian Leali'ifano capped an extraordinary comeback with an assured performance in the No.10 jersey. Credit:AAP
He was faultless with the boot and pulled off the decoy play that unleashed Marika Koroibete in the lead up to Reece Hodge's first-half try.
It was hard to believe the 31-year-old had not only not played a Test since 2016 but was on the outer in the early days of Michael Cheika's Wallabies tenure. His last start was 2014 and he missed out to Quade Cooper for the back-up No.10 role in the 2015 World Cup.
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Be a dad, be a son, be a brother, be a partner – those are my main ambitions … this is just an added bonus.
Christian Leali'ifano
Leali'ifano admitted there were times, even before his leukaemia diagnosis three years ago, when he wondered if he had a future in the Test set up. But after emerging from a life-or-death fight with illness, the Wallabies five-eighth said he was playing with newfound freedom.
"I think if you've gone through that, it's about trying to stay healthy – be a dad, be a son, be a brother, be a partner – those are my main ambitions, to be healthy enough to be able to be the best person I can be for them," he said. "This [rugby] is just an added bonus, I think. But to be able to get in here, I've had a different perspective through that and it's about being able to enjoy these moments as well.
"When I was younger and in the set-up, I probably put a lot of pressure on myself to try and make the most of the opportunity."
Leali'ifano kicked four from four against Argentina in his Test comeback.Credit:AAP
Teammates and coaches alike paid tribute to the popular playmaker, who is a respected leader of the side's Pacific Islander contingent and a buoyant presence in the squad.
"[There is an] aura about him, the buzz he brings to the team is second to none. Just have to look at whats hes done with his footy and his life over the past few years to be where he is now is amazing," Wallabies vice-captain Samu Kerevi said. "It wasnt just to come back but to play exceptionally well for the team.
"I thought he controlled game really well and you saw with his kicking how important it was at Test level. The resilience hes shown through what hes gone through to get back on the pitch ( is impressive) because at one stage he just wanted to have a normal life. For him to even play footy (again) is a blessing.
"Seeing his little one (son Jeremiah, three) running around the hotel was just a really happy scene for Read More – Source
Wallabies playmaker Christian Leali'ifano says his triumphant Test return in Brisbane on Saturday was "just an added bonus" after a life-threatening battle with cancer.
Leali'ifano threw down the gauntlet to teammate and Test rival Bernard Foley with a tough and composed 50-minute performance in Australia's fortifying 16-10 win over Argentina.
He's back: Christian Leali'ifano capped an extraordinary comeback with an assured performance in the No.10 jersey. Credit:AAP
He was faultless with the boot and pulled off the decoy play that unleashed Marika Koroibete in the lead up to Reece Hodge's first-half try.
It was hard to believe the 31-year-old had not only not played a Test since 2016 but was on the outer in the early days of Michael Cheika's Wallabies tenure. His last start was 2014 and he missed out to Quade Cooper for the back-up No.10 role in the 2015 World Cup.
Advertisement
Be a dad, be a son, be a brother, be a partner – those are my main ambitions … this is just an added bonus.
Christian Leali'ifano
Leali'ifano admitted there were times, even before his leukaemia diagnosis three years ago, when he wondered if he had a future in the Test set up. But after emerging from a life-or-death fight with illness, the Wallabies five-eighth said he was playing with newfound freedom.
"I think if you've gone through that, it's about trying to stay healthy – be a dad, be a son, be a brother, be a partner – those are my main ambitions, to be healthy enough to be able to be the best person I can be for them," he said. "This [rugby] is just an added bonus, I think. But to be able to get in here, I've had a different perspective through that and it's about being able to enjoy these moments as well.
"When I was younger and in the set-up, I probably put a lot of pressure on myself to try and make the most of the opportunity."
Leali'ifano kicked four from four against Argentina in his Test comeback.Credit:AAP
Teammates and coaches alike paid tribute to the popular playmaker, who is a respected leader of the side's Pacific Islander contingent and a buoyant presence in the squad.
"[There is an] aura about him, the buzz he brings to the team is second to none. Just have to look at whats hes done with his footy and his life over the past few years to be where he is now is amazing," Wallabies vice-captain Samu Kerevi said. "It wasnt just to come back but to play exceptionally well for the team.
"I thought he controlled game really well and you saw with his kicking how important it was at Test level. The resilience hes shown through what hes gone through to get back on the pitch ( is impressive) because at one stage he just wanted to have a normal life. For him to even play footy (again) is a blessing.
"Seeing his little one (son Jeremiah, three) running around the hotel was just a really happy scene for Read More – Source
