Rebels lock Trevor Hosea has gone back to basics as he pushes for a maiden Wallabies cap.
Hosea has a breakout season in 2020, rewarded with selection in Dave Rennie's squad for the Tri-Nations.
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Despite the 21-year-old not receiving any game-time, his time around the camp reinforced the importance of improving his handling and work rate if he wishes to achieve his Wallabies dream.
“This year compared to last year, I think what I’ve been trying to work on is my ball-carrying and ball skills in general,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“I’ve really stripped it back to the basics. This year I believe has been a good start for me, but I think it’s about carrying it on and staying with it.
“A big part of my growth has been working on my work rate, a big part of being a second-rower is getting around the park and doing your job so that’s been a big learning that I took out of last year.”
Entering the Wallabies camp for a second year, Hosea has been looking to pick the brains of roommate and Force lock Sitaleki Timani.
Hosea was just seven when Timani played his first Super Rugby game for the Force in 2008 and he believes that Timani's wide-raging experience is exactly what the young squad needs.
“Nah, we’ve just been thinking about what snacks we’re going to get,” he joked.
“I’ve just been picking his brain, talking about his family and what he does away from rugby. Just really getting to know him so we’ve become good teammates.
“It’s good having that experience come back. Obviously, he’s played over in France so it’s good to have that experience from over there and it’s a different game style.
“Having him as a leader on the team as well being one of the older heads, it’s good for young fellas like me.”
As Hosea looks to achieve his first Wallaby cap, he has already ticked off a surprise career first in 2021: playing at AAMI Park.
Despite growing up in Victoria, Hosea's rapid development meant that his first game at home was last month's win over the Waratahs as a result of COVID.
“It was a hell of a night, really enjoyed myself and it was good to have my family behind me for the first time,” he said.
“It’s definitely energy and feeling at AAMI, being at home, and I really enjoyed it.”
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Hosea is amongst a growing contingency of Victorian-born players to make the jump to the Wallabies, joined in camp by the likes of Pone Fa'amausili and Rob Valetini.
As the sport continues to grow in Victoria, the 21-year-old and the rest of the 'burn boys' were looking to be role models for future Wallabies and Wallaroos to come.
“We’re real big role models back at home for the young boys and girls coming through in rugby down in Melbourne,” he believes.
“It’s a big thing for us to lead the way and keep doing our thing.”
Sunday afternoon Rugby is back in Melbourne this weekend when the Rebels take on the Brumbies at AAMI Park, kicking off at 2:00pm AEST, the home side will look to keep their finals hopes alive following a narrow loss to the Force last weekend. You can catch all the action LIVE on Stan Sport,click here to purchase tickets.
