Long wait is over for new Gloucester prop Huia Edmonds

Hedging his bets in trying to reach the Premiership and play for Australia in the World Cup almost scuppered Gloucester hooker Huia Edmonds’ chances of both – but he insists that one out of two will do.
Edmonds had lined up a move to Saracens for the 2011-12 season but, having won a first cap for Australia in 2010, he harboured hopes of fighting for a Wallaby place on the plane to New Zealand.
Edmonds, 30, chose to pursue his World Cup dream but two weeks after informing Sarries of his decision he tore ligaments in his foot – ruling him out of the trip to New Zealand.
But looking back on his misfortune one year on, and on the cusp of a long-awaited Premiership debut, now with Gloucester, Edmonds says he has put the disappointment behind him.
“It hurt so much missing out on the World Cup squad,” admitted Edmonds, who arrived in the West Country from the Brumbies.
“I was supposed to go to Saracens as I signed a two-year deal with them at the end of 2010.
“But I’d picked up a niggling shoulder injury on tour with the Wallabies that year. When I came back I needed surgery but it was possible to delay it and I wanted to leave that until after the World Cup.
“That would have meant being out for six months when I arrived at Saracens.
“I got in touch with them but they said that was no good, we want you to start straight away.
“They saw it is as one or the other and I could see where they were coming from. So I pretty much chose the World Cup over going to Saracens. We left it on good terms but then two weeks later I busted my foot in a Super Rugby game which ruled me out of a World Cup spot.
“That was nearly a year ago now so I can’t dwell on that. I’m here in Gloucester and really enjoying myself.
“There’s a great bunch of guys around the club and I’m having a great time being here with my family.”
After he recovered from surgery on his shoulder and got over his foot injury, Gloucester came in for Edmonds and the Australian is intent on winning the battle with Darren Dawidiuk to fill space of the departing Scott Lawson.
“I didn’t come here to be second string,” he added. “I will be pushing for the first team.
“But everyone is pushing for a starting spot and that makes you work even harder.
“Whenever you pull on a team’s jersey you want to win and that’s the same attitude I have with getting selected for the team.
“I’m not as quick as I used to be but the hard stuff still needs to be done on the field and that’s my main role.
“I definitely enjoy the breakdown and the rucks and but I still like to get my hands on the ball when I can.
“Gloucester are a team I’ve seen on the TV and they were one side I was interested in talking to when I had the chance.
“They’re a team that have been at the right end of the table and are looking to win silverware.
“I know the supporters are fantastic and really build a great atmosphere in the stadium. I’m really looking forward to that.”