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Coleman returns to Wallabies a father

Wallabies lock Adam Coleman will return to the side after withdrawing on game day against South Africa last Saturday to witness the birth of his first child.

Adam Coleman
New dad Adam Coleman is back from parental leave to give the Wallabies tight five a helping hand. (AAP)

Losing to the All Blacks may be hard to take, but according to Wallabies lock Adam Coleman there's nothing more humbling than becoming a father.

The Melbourne Rebels giant endured a crazy 24 hours last weekend after getting a call from his partner Tonia telling him their daughter's birth would be happening three weeks earlier than forecast.

Just hours away from lining up to play South Africa in Brisbane, Coleman was swiftly on a plane south - he watched the game unfold on his mobile phone in a hospital ward.

Fia Coleman was born later that night and, after a week of first-time fatherhood experiences, her dad is back in Wallabies camp.

He'll come off the bench for the first time since his Test debut in 2016 against Argentina on the Gold Coast on Saturday, and is ready to rip in after a week he will never forget.

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"I don't think you're a dad until you've been pooed on," he laughed.

"A little baby girl, it's just amazing, humbling experience. She's a little gem."

Cheika had no hesitation returning Coleman to the playing squad, where he earns his 26th cap deputising for Izack Rodda and Rory Arnold.

"He'd be on a bit of a high ... (he'll get) time off the bench with the minimum preparation," Cheika said.

"He's the lineout leader, he's pretty good in that area."

Coleman praised his second-row partners for their set piece efforts in his absence and admitted they'd need to be on their toes against an improving Pumas outfit that pushed the All Blacks last weekend after beating South Africa in August.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


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