Wallabies coach Les Kiss believes the competition for a backline spot in the squad will only intensify as he turns to experience ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Kiss has a luxury of options, particularly in the back three, as they settle into the UK for the Nations Championship.
This has seen the likes of stars Dylan Pietsch, Corey Toole and Zac Lomax show out for Australia A in the USA, completing a two-game sweep.
Pietsch is the most notable, starting the first two games of the season before injury sidelined him.
The Western Force winger missed selection for the end-of-year tour, scoring against the Americans in the opening match.
Kiss believes it's a sign of the battle for positions that will only intensify heading into next year's World Cup.
“Dylan has had that foot injury coming back from, and he's working slowly through that for sure. The one thing that has happened, when an injury happens, it's becoming really difficult to move the person that comes in," he said on Pietsch's absence.
“They've been performing in training and playing, so it’s more difficult to get back in, which is what it should be.
“Dylan's sitting right here in that selection frame for sure.”
Kiss called up new Western Force recruit James Ramm and Kurtley Beale, looking for another fullback option for the final four Tests of the year.
The former Reds coach flagged a number of potential options for the future, including ex-Brumby and Montepllier star Tom Banks, currently carving up in the Top 14.
“We looked at what our options there with Jock [Campbell] moving to Japan in this period, he's just not available. We looked around with Mac Grealy, who we know enough about, we had Tom Banks we had a look at and then James Ramm became front and centre in our discussions," Kiss revealed.
“When Hunter dropped, we just wanted someone to move to 12, so it just didn't throw another winning position up for grabs.”
The search for an extra option in the midfield paved the way for Beale's return, bringing close to 100 Tests worth of experience.
Kiss has flaedd previously his intention to call on experienced heads when the opportunity presented itself, revealing veterans James Slipper and Bernard Foley are among many on the radar still.
“I think it's fair to say that I lean into those guys, and they know this. I've been very open with this, and they're absolutely supportive of what we're trying to do," he confirmed.
“James [Slipper] knows the extension of another loose head coming on board working hard with Isaac [Kailea] in the terms of the set piece and training against the best in the country that we have.
“Foley hasn't done as much lately, and I haven't spoken to Foley, I must say, but that's something we can always look to in the Super Rugby season.
