Will Harris will have no qualms about being labelled a copycat.
The Junior Wallabies backrower has been quietly implementing strategies he has watched his footballing mentors roll out at the Waratahs this season as he prepares to play New Zealand tonight in the Oceania U20 championship final.
Being embedded in the Super Rugby club and training alongside players the calibre of Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and fellow backrower Ned Hanigan has been feeding Harris's rugby growth.
And the Junior Wallabies will be the beneficiaries.
"When you're in that system, you see the likes of Michael Hooper and Ned Hannigan in your position and how they train and I think I've learnt a lot off them just the start of this year," Harris said.
"I've tried to bring that into here, just in my individual prep, seeing how they do everything - whether that's eating or in your game prep.
"I've really tried to implement that here and I think it's helped me a lot."
Born in Townsville in north Queensland before moving to Sydney with his family when he was about nine, Harris has risen through the rugby ranks to become one of the most exciting young players in the country.
Harris spurned the advances of the 13-man code to remain in rugby and has thrived watching his idols at work.
"They never have an off day, so you're always striving to get better and you're always learning," he said of Hooper and Hanigan.
"You don’t' rest at any point, you're always trying to get better and that's what I really like about that environment."
An Australian Schoolboys captain for their tour match against Scotland A last year, Harris is immensely proud of pulling on the gold jersey and is determined to be at his best against New Zealand tonight as Australia bid to break their neighbours' stranglehold on the Oceania U20 title.
"I think it's something that every kid dreams of," Harris said of representing Australia.
"I know that when I was growing up that's something that you want to do - whether that's the Wallabies or the (Australian) schools team, whenever you get to pull on that jersey, especially leading out in front, it's a great experience and one that you don't take lightly because they don't come around very often."
And a "grudge match" against New Zealand is particularly special.
"When we came into camp two-and-a-half weeks ago, this was the game that everyone was prepping for," Harris said.
"We've had two really good games against Japan and Fiji and they were two quite different games, so we've had a really good prep leading into Saturday night.
"It's always a grudge match. I think whenever you play against New Zealand, there's always a bit of extra meaning in every part of the game, whether that's set piece or every single tackle."
Harris will start at no.8, having beaten fellow Waratahs-contracted player Pat Tafa to a starting spot.
And just as ahe credits Tahs teammates Hooper and Hanigan for driving him to new heights, Tafa is doing the same.
"We get on really well. He pushes me and I try to push him as best as I can, so it's really healthy competition there," Harris said.
The 18-year-old has also been impressing coach Jason Gilmore, who hailed the Junior Wallabies' backrow depth.
"I was on the Australian Schoolboys tour in Scotland last year and watched him first hand and he's a player of the future, that kid," Gilmore said.
"He works hard, is aggressive, a smart footballer, so we're really lucky with our two no.8s."
Gilmore said patience would be a key attribute for the Junior Wallabies on Saturday night as they chased a first Oceania crown.
"(We'll face) a typical New Zealand team, they're athletic and move well across the field, are good in transition," he said.
"you've got to have good awareness when you play Kiwi teams.
"They can surprise you with the play if you're nto on it but we want to get into the game and have them looking at us rather than us looking at them."
The Junior Wallabies will take on New Zealand at Bond University on Saturday, May 4, from 7pm after Fiji and Japan kick off at 5pm AEST. All games will be streamed LIVE at RUGBY.com.au.
