Humphries eyeing Wallabies call-up at 35

He's played club and provincial rugby in a staggering six countries, but
globetrotting journeyman Van Humphries is finally on the verge of playing for the
Wallabies, just a few months shy of his 35th birthday.
Queensland lock Humphries was among dozen uncapped players who assembled in Sydney
on Tuesday in the Wallabies' training squad ahead of the upcoming spring tour of
Hong Kong and Europe.
Over the past 15 years, Humphries has seen the world through rugby without getting a
sniff of a Wallabies jersey.
He played for Garryowen (Ireland), North Harbour (New Zealand), NSW and Queensland
(Australia), Viadana (Italy), Montauban (France), IBM Tokyo and Kintetsu Osaka
(Japan).
Even when the door appeared to open for him earlier this year after his Queensland
captain James Horwill was injured, Humphries missed out on potential selection for
Australia's inbound Tests in Japan due to an ankle injury.
Asked for reaction to his selection this week Humphries said "a bit of amazement at
this late stage.
"I always hoped but I never knew for sure and I'm just stoked to be here".
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans wasn't bothered by Humphries' age and neither was the
player himself.
"Age is irrelevant to me, the body is still good and I'm really loving rugby at the
moment," Humphries said.
Another uncapped second-rower, Rob O'Connor, confessed to being equally surprised
and delighted by his selection in the training squad.
O'Connor, who signed for the Waratahs last week, has spent the last two years
playing for New Zealand side Northland.
"I was pinching myself, I really didn't see it coming, it was a huge surprise,"
O'Connor said.
He went to New Zealand to resurrect his career and to try to win another Super rugby
contract after a "stop-start" time at the Force.
Two knee injuries in the space of six months stalled his career in 2007 and 2008,
but he said playing in New Zealand had definitely improved him as a player.
"I went over there (New Zealand) with a goal to get back into Super rugby, but
certainly this (Wallabies training squad selection) is a huge bonus, but I'm
certainly going to grab it with both hands."