Usain Bolt has embraced Rugby after a short-lived attempt in Football.
The sprint champion and former football player emerged the talent to be poached by Rugby Union, as Wallabies were quick to cut the Jamaican a cheque.
Shortly after negotiations broke down with A-League club the Central Coast Mariners, the sprint king announced he’s accepted a $3 million deal to play rugby for the Wallabies.
“I think I’ll be good at rugby,” says the 32-year-old. “Holding the ball while running will be much easier than dribbling it at my feet.”
The Wallabies coach Michael Cheika confirmed that Bolt might just be the answer to the team’s recent patchy form.
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Cheika said he wants to have Bolt in his starting line up for the Rugby World Cup in Japan next year.
“Usain has once again demonstrated his lightening speed in trial matches,” said Cheika. “I want him on the right wing ASAP,” he added.
After a career spanning athletics, soccer and now rugby, Usain Bolt told Double Bay Today he’s confident he’ll be able to handle rugby at the top level for “three to four years”.
Beyond that, he said he hasn’t ruled out following in the footsteps of former Wallabies winger Nick Cummins.
“I want to be the next Bachelor,” he said.
This piece was originally published by Double Bay Today
