Jack Dempsey says that signing a contract extension with Glasgow Warriors (which is understood to be for two seasons beyond the end of the current campaign) was more of a formality than an active decision.
And with that piece of business out of the way he is now able to focus on on-field matters, specifically the twin goals of winning silverware at club level this season, then going on to represent Scotland at the World Cup in the Autumn.
It will be Dempsey’s second World Cup after he wore the gold and green of his native Australia in Japan in 2019, before switching allegiance through World Rugby’s controversial three-year stand-down rule.
The 28-year-old arrived at Scotstoun from the Waratahs ahead of the 2021-22 campaign and has been an outstanding performer for Warriors during the last 18 months, with his form instrumental in helping push forward his team-mate rival Matt Fagerson’s game during that time.
He qualifies for Scotland through a Glaswegian grandfather, made his second international debut against – as luck would have it – Australia last October, and has been an ever-present in Gregor Townsend’s match-day squad since then.
“It was written on the wall once I finalised my decision with Scotland and where I wanted to spend my long-term future,” said Dempsey of the new Warriors deal, which was announced yesterday.
“To be honest, there wasn’t much thinking needed. I’ve been happy since I came here in terms of the rugby side and settled well with the lads, the city and the country. So, I’m just really enjoying my time here.
“And looking not just at the Warriors but at what Gregor’s doing with Scotland, I think he’s got the best out of me as well.
“You have your tricky up and down seasons due to injury or form and I’ve experienced that in the past, so it’s about knowing when you’re in the right place and being aware of that and that’s the biggest thing for me.
“I wouldn’t say I was a proper Glasgow boy – every morning I get on YouTube and keep my Australian accent going because I wouldn’t ever want to lose that! But I’m living in the West End as a few of the boys do, and a lot of the guys I’m closest to are the Aussie and Kiwi guys like Sione [Tuipulotu], so that keeps you fresh and makes you less homesick.”
The only meaningful silverware Glasgow Warriors have won was the PRO12 (as the URC was then known) title in 2015. They are in the hunt on two fronts this season (the URC and the Challenge Cup) and Dempsey exhibits a refreshing Antipodean honesty when asked what the team’s aspirations should be.
“No-one here wants to be sitting on the side-lines come the knockout games,” he stated. “Every coach has their own philosophies and different players have their own mindsets, but you shouldn’t be scared to voice what you want. And that all comes into visualisation and manifesting that verbally, whether in the locker room or on the training park or in meetings. That’s why I moved over here – to play in big games and big competitions.
“There’s also a World Cup coming and everyone wants to be involved in that and perform well.
“Having been part of the last World Cup with Australia, that build-up and the carrot for everyone who wants to be a part of it, that’s a big part of it now when you go back to your club. That’s what everyone is fighting for.
“Given how relatively successful we were at the Six Nations you want to continue being a part of that group. It’s a group with a lot of aspirations, ambition and a hunger to perform. That’s going to show in the back end of the two competitions at club level.”
Warriors head coach Franco Smith gave Dempsey last weekend off to recover from his Six Nations exploits but he will be back in the mix for Saturday evening’s Challenge Cup round-of-16 clash against the Dragons at Scotstoun.
“It’s about making sure that when we get to the big games, we’re not only match fit but we’re also healthy and playing our best footy,” he said.
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