Jack Dempsey felt the love from both sides on his Scotland debut – and it confirmed to him he’d made the right decision to switch from the Wallabies.
The 28-year-old feels he’s a different player and person from the days he won 14 caps for Australia. A win over his former team-mates – and many friends – was not to be, but he’s content with his decision to choose Scotland.
‘I’m very close with a lot of those boys’
“It was all love,” he laughed about his on-field reception from the Wallabies. “I had a laugh with Bernard Foley. He returned a kick back at me and then at the bottom of the ruck he was saying: ‘Good tackle, mate.’
“It was just a bit of fun. I’m very close with a lot of those boys. They know my story and my journey, so it’s all love there. To win my first Scotland cap against them is something I’ll never forget.”
Dempsey says he’s “always kind of danced to the beat of my own drum”.
“I’m not going to lie,” he said. “I came over here thinking my Test career was probably over. I didn’t come over here specifically to play Test rugby. At that point, the (new eligibility) rule didn’t exist.
‘It was a bit of a curveball, but I’ve loved every moment of it.”
‘Sydney to Glasgow is as drastic as you’ll get’
Jack Dempsey played for @wallabies at the last World Cup 3 years ago. Now the Aussie flanker is set to play for @Scotlandteam at the next one. Why? Because the rules now allow players to switch allegiance after 3 years out of Test rugby and because his grandad came from Glasgow.
— Peter Jackson (@JackoRugby) October 27, 2022
Dempsey’s cap ceremony – his second – afterwards was an emotional moment, he said.
“I said to the lads that I came over here in a bit of a weird place in my career,” he said. “I wasn’t loving my rugby as much as maybe I used to.
“We had some really rough years at the Waratahs. My form, my fitness and going through injuries – I struggled to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I needed that drastic change. Moving from Sydney to Glasgow is about as drastic as you’ll get!
“But the way the city and country have accepted me has just re-lit that fire inside me.
“I’m just thankful that I made the move. I said to the boys that I hope I can repay this faith over the next few weeks, months or years – whatever it may be.
‘That’s where I’m at. I’m happy with the decision I made.”
‘There’s something brewing here’
The final penalty going over would be the cherry on the cake, but Dempsey believes Scotland are going places.
“I wouldn’t have made this decision if I didn’t think I was up to it,” he said. “Not only playing at this level, but making a statement.
“The way that Scotland play, I feel like it suits me well. Whether my role is to come off the bench and add impact, or add experience on the training field, I’m looking forward to it.
“I’ve only been in camp for about a week. I’ve only heard Gregor speaking in training for a week. He’s saying all the right things and he’s the kind of coach you can get behind.
“There’s something brewing here, which I want to be part of.”
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