Tolu Latu has gone from surprised to determined in close to a month in the Wallabies fold.
Latu was a surprise addition to the Test squad ahead of their trip to South Africa and London last month, even admitting it was an inclusion he had not expected.
That shock quickly turned to a desire to learn off the two incumbent Test hookers in Stephen Moore and James Hanson.
The pair’s advice has been simple to Latu and he said each session he had become more familiar with the Wallabies’ style.
“[They said] just stay composed and just back yourself, do the stuff that I'm good at and then get my set piece right and get some knowledge around that,” he said.
“It was just more about learning the set piece and the lineout calls, just getting my head around stuff like that and just the game structure and the shape of how they want to play.
“It was just all about that for me.”
Latu’s NRC form caught the eye of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, in what the hooker though would just be a warm-up for preseason.
“It was good because I didn't have much game time in Super Rugby this year through injury and the other two hookers going well, so I thought the NRC for me was just building steps towards my preseason,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to get the call up for Wallabies.”
While he might be an outside shot of a Test debut on this tour, Latu joked his biggest danger is scoffing one too many pastries.
"To be honest I've just got to go out there and make sure I don’t eat too much meat pies...just kidding,” he laughed.
"I've just got to train hard and put in the hard work before I get the reward, so I'm just looking forward to getting there."
The Wallabies depart for Europe on Friday, after tonight’s John Eales Medal, to be streamed LIVE on rugby.com.au.
