Brumbies prop Scott Sio is hoping to send a message to Wallabies selectors ahead of Saturday's Qualifying Final against the Western Force.
Sio wasn't named in Dave Rennie's 40-man Wallabies training squad at the start of the month, missing the three-day camp in Sydney.
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This comes despite the 29-year-old featuring in five out of Australia's six Test matches in 2020, starting the final two games against Argentina.
Speaking to media on Monday, Sio believes that the wake-up call was just what he needed ahead of their Qualifying Final against the Western Force on Saturday.
“You’re always disappointed. You always want to be there, in and amongst it whether it’s a training camp or not,” Sio said.
“I just had to take that time to re-visit my game and see where I can keep getting better and keep contributing to the Brumbies.
“At the end of the day, making those squads and playing for your country is a product of what you do here at Super Rugby level.
“I’m just looking forward to the challenge ahead. Putting some good games together and contributing for the team the best I can.”
After a string of tough matches, the Brumbies have taken the opportunity to rest and recover ahead of a nightmare next month of fixtures.
A win on Saturday not only books their place in the final, but also ensures they will play four straight Super Rugby finalists, drawn to face the Crusaders and Chiefs in New Zealand at the start of Trans-Tasman.
Sio suggests that the bye came at the perfect time for the club, allowing them to prepare for a potential seven-week block of Rugby.
“We had the luck of the draw there,” he believes.
“It’s worked against teams in the past so the best things for us was to utilise as best we could for recovery and getting away from the game to understand that we could potentially have a 7-week stretch here.
“We’re just making sure that we are physically and mentally in the right space.”
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It’s do or die for both the Brumbies and Western Force this Saturday night in Canberra. Catch all the finals action ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport as well as simulcast live on 9Gem, click here to purchase tickets.
