Kurtley Beale says the performance of the inaugural First Nations and Pasifika team against the mighty British and Irish Lions shows the concept deserves a regular stage.
With outside expectations that tourists would put 50 points on the invitational XV in their midweek match in Melbourne, Beale's men showed fighting spirit and physicality to narrowly lose 24-19.
Final tickets still available! Get your tickets for the British & Irish Lions tour here.
The 95-Test veteran, who captained the side, wants to see the First Nations and Pasifika jersey held up as source of pride for young players of those cultures.
The New Zealand Maori side play touring sides each year and Beale believe they could follow that lead.
"I'm thinking bigger picture here, I think for the next generation, the young young Pasifika and First Nations kids in Australia, paving the pathway, this jersey, this emblem represents them," Beale said.
"To be able to bring talent through and create pathways for those kids is what it's all about, and it's something as a squad we're very proud to be able to do that and represent them at this level."
As well as showcasing the talents from the different cultures, the match provided players such as lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and prop Taniela Tupou another chance to push their case for a Wallabies recall.
Salakaia-Loto spearheaded the team's bone-rattling defence while Tupou delivered at scrum time. Coach Toutai Kefu said the pair deserved another crack at the Test arena.
"Lukhan has been outstanding through the whole week, around that mindset and drove that for us and his performance was outstanding again," Kefu said.
"I definitely would look at investing in him (Salakaia-Loto) and bringing him into the squad.
"Taniela is a work in progress - his set piece was world class - when he's on song there's probably not many better.
"He's had a stop-start go with injuries and has played two games now, with the Waratahs and us and if he can stay on track there's a pathway back to that Wallabies No.3 jersey."
