Game-starved Fraser McReight has no plans on missing his moment, vowing to "absolutely rip in" during his first appearance on the Wallabies' spring tour of Europe.
Once touted as a future Australia captain, McReight has instead found himself frustratingly biding his time behind champion No.7 Michael Hooper.
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With Hooper - the most-capped Wallabies skipper - being rested this weekend, McReight gets a rare start at openside flanker in Sunday morning's clash with Italy in Florence.
"It's hard being behind Hoops. He's the highest-calibre player in the game," the 23-year-old McReight said ahead of only his fifth Wallabies start since 2020.
"The coaches just want me to rip in with every chance I get, whether that's through training or games like this weekend.
"They just want me to go out there and absolutely rip in and hopefully that can lead to some more game time."
McReight is realistic enough to know he is unlikely to retain the No.7 gold jumper for next week's showdown with the top-ranked Irish in Dublin.
But with coach Dave Rennie making seven changes to his starting side after last week's gut-wrenching 30-29 loss to France, McReight said the fresh faces are intent on at least showcasing their credentials against the Azzurri.
"Everyone wants to push and make the coach's job really hard to select," the Queensland Reds star said.
"Whether it's training or through performances, you want to be able to push and give them a headache.
"But in the back of your mind, you sort of know what's going to happen regardless of the result on the weekend.
"It's about going out there doing the best I can, showing Dave (Rennie), showing the other coaches what I can do."
Mining every possible nugget of advice he can off Hooper this tour, McReight will form a new-look Australian back row with blindside flanker Ned Hanigan and abrasive No.8 Pete Samu.
"I'm super excited," McReight said.
"It's a different dynamic. All three of us have never really played together.
"Peter's hard on the ball, explosive around the park. Ned's explosive as well, so hopefully we can complement each other really well."
