New Wallabies lock Miles Amatosero is ready to battle for his spot after a successful debut against Italy.
Amatosero became the latest to pull on the gold jersey after coming off the bench in the thumping victory in Perth.
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He became the third debutant of 2026 and the second second-row alongside Lachlan Shaw, rewarded for a strong Super Rugby Pacific season.
"I've had the taste now and I loved it and I just want to work hard now just to try and get another chance at playing and build onto that," he told reporters.
With new coach Les Kiss officially starting in his role, Amatosero knows he's got to work hard to retain his spot.
It comes with the return of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to the Wallabies set-up, one of three new faces from the Nations Championship squad.
"It's still so fresh and new for me. It's still me transitioning into this group, so while there has been a change [in coach], it's still a fresh new environment for me. I'm just taking as much as I can and learning as much as I can," he explained.
"[Lukhan] is a good man. Any of the locks, I try and work with closely just to pick up things you can learn, new things, and also just build that relationship, which I'm excited to do."
The NSW Waratahs enforcer was in the thick of the action instantly during his debut, keeping his cool amid a sideline scuffle.
Amatoaero was involved in an incident near the Italian bench and found himself targeted by Italian prop Marco Riccioni, who had already been substituted from the match.
The lock, who had received similar treatment during the Super Rugby season against the Crusaders, weathered the onslaught and found himself watching Riccioni walk back up the tunnel after his dismissal.
The 24-year-old has focused on keeping both his edge and head, pleased to see the work come together.
"I'm not surprised that it happened, but I guess just keeping my cool, and I'm glad that I did and it worked out," Amatosero said, smiling.
"I guess if I can fly under the radar, I'd like to. But if that's going to happen, then as long as we get a good outcome from it, that's all that matters."
