Cameron Shepherd’s prodigious talents were always going to be ultimately recognised by Australia’s rugby selectors.
After a couple of seasons waiting in the wings, Shepherd finally made his Test debut from the bench against England in 2006.
He remained in the Wallabies 22 for the two internationals that followed against Ireland, crossing for his first Test five-pointer in the second of those matches.
The September 2006 Tri Nations Test against the Springboks at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park saw the awesomely-gifted utility player finally make his first appearance in the starting 15 as a winger.
A left leg injury during the 2007 Super 14 competition brought a halt to Shepherd’s progress, ruling him out of the home internationals and selection in the Australian Wallabies squad for the World Cup. But having proved his fitness late season with the Perth Spirit in the Australian Rugby Competition, Shepherd was called to France to replace the injured Mark Gerrard in the Australian Wallabies World Cup squad.
Shepherd was one of the first players Western Force coach John Mitchell targeted for the Perth-based franchise’s debut in Super 14 rugby in 2006, having noted his versatility and promise during his two seasons with the NSW Waratahs.
Playing fullback for most of his first season with the Force, he was the team’s top points scorer with a goal-kicking strike rate just a shade short of 80 per cent. In each of his first two seasons with the Force, he easily topped the century mark.
With Chris Latham now retired from Test rugby, Shepherd, 24, looms as his replacement in the No. 15 Australian jersey.
At the Western Force, Shepherd will always remain part of the club’s history having booted a sideline conversion against the Hurricanes in 2007 that clinched the team’s first home win at Subiaco Oval.
Cameron Shepherd has played six Tests for Australia and this year will soon chalk up his 50th appearance in Super rugby.
He is contracted to the Force until the end of the 2010 season.