The hunt for gold has usually been saved for the 23 jerseys the selected players will wear when Test season once again starts on July 7.
However, it's taken a new meaning as players fight for available positions.
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The unique quarantine conditions combined with no Australian representation in the Trans-Tasman have provided Wallabies coaching staff with the unique opportunity of having an extended period with the squad.
With a host of positions still up for grabs, assistant coach Scott Wisemantel has revealed they have adopted the measure of awarding votes and medals that they plan to use toward selection.
“Every day it’s changing because at the end of every training day we pick a gold, silver and bronze, as far as our best three on the ground,” Wisemantel revealed on Tuesday
“It’s been quite diverse our best three which has been good. We’re seeing fierce competition at the moment and spots are available.
“Do we have a blueprint in mind? Probably but it’s not set in stone.”
As they bunker down in Sanctuary Cove, the camp has been anything but a sanctuary for players as coaches drill in the necessary skills and processes to take them to the next level over the 12-hour days.
Even for one of the most experienced players, Force lock Sitaleki Timani, the labouring days are something he's had to adapt to.
“For my entire career, I haven’t done training like this,” Timani admitted.
“It’s a good learning for me to understand what we need to learn and go through as a team to understand what we need as a team in a game.
“It’s a good challenge for us this week and hopefully we get better heading forward.”
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After a frustrating 2020 season, in which the Wallabies came away with three draws, near enough wasn't good enough for Wisemantel as they start the rebuild.
“I think winning, for a start. I think Australian rugby, we need to win.” he said on what needs to change.
“As a coaching staff, we’re under no illusions, there’s pressure. There’s always pressure when it’s Test match rugby.
“But apart from winning, we actually want blokes who are selected, we’d like to grow our base, so if there are some debutants in there, some young blokes, we need to equip them ready for Test match rugby so there’s greater competition into the next two years.”
