Defending John Eales Medalist Len Ikitau is energised by the competition in the centres as the star midfielder prepares for his return next week against Argentina.
Ikitau is back in full training with the group after nearly a month out with an ankle injury.
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The returning Brumby required minor surgery to clean up the issue, continuing a 'frustrating' season after months out with a shoulder injury to start 2026.
His absence, along with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, presented the opportunity for several to make their claims at their rock-solid centre partnership, most notably Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry.
The Reds duo were amongst the best on ground in the 56-17 victory over Japan in Townsville, with Ikitau excited by the growth of his fellow Brisbane Boys College alumnus Henry.
“It was pretty cool, especially seeing Zaccy [Henry] debut and watching Hunter play again. I thought they did an amazing job in terms of leading the back line,” Ikitau said.
"The first couple of games I played with Zaccy, he was a 9, and then he moved out and he played 10. Now he's a big boy and he's in the centres with us.
"Zaccy probably knows how Kiss loves to play and it suits the way Zaccy plays. He's a physical ball-carrier, good in defence."
The return of Ikitau and Suaalii presents the Wallabies with an intriguing centre battle heading into the future, with Josh Flook and Izaia Perese waiting on the sidelines.
Samu Kerevi is coming off one of his best years in Japan, whilst NRL convert Angus Crichton is expected to try his hand at the midfield on his arrival, potentially as early as November's Nations Championship Tests.
"It's really refreshing to have some boys push through and put a lot of pressure on the guys who are starting," Ikitau notes.
“...It hasn’t really been a spot where we’ve been lucky to have a lot of good players come through but I feel like at the moment, with the centres we have [we do].
"If you look at Flooky [Josh Flook], he's missed out [in the squad for Argentina] and he was one of the best centres in Australian rugby for Super [Rugby]. Samu [Kerevi] is still there waiting in the wings, and then Izzy [Perese] has come back to the Reds.
"There’s so many good centres out there that are still eager to be a part of this so for us as the four centres that are here, we want to push each other to be the best, and it’s only going to make the team better.”
Ikitau's versatility remains an edge, making his name as a damaging outside centre before switching inside on Suaalii's arrival to Rugby Union.
“I’ve only played 12 since Joseph’s come in, and I’ve only played 13 for the Brumbies, but for me, I love playing 12 or 13,” Ikitau said.
“We’ll get to that when we get there, but happy to do my part whether that’s 12 or 13, or 23 or 22 [on the bench].
"I’m quite happy as just a centre, not really a 12 or 13, but just being able to cover both.”
The Wallabies head to Argentina on Sunday ahead of their opening Test in Jujuy [pronounced ho-hooy] in a week's time.
