ACT Brumbies centre David Feliuai is hungry for an elusive Wallabies debut, with Saturday's clash with the Queensland Reds providing the perfect audition stage.
Feliuai has emerged as a key piece of the Brumbies backline as they sit top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder after three rounds.
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This has the former Rebel pushing his case for a return to the Wallabies squad, firmly in the spotlight this week as he prepares to face Hunter Paisami and the Reds.
The 28-year-old has been involved in past camps under Test coach Joe Schmidt, called into his first camp in 2024.
Feliuai would withdraw during the stint for personal reasons, and while he would miss selection for the 2025 season, his performance against the British & Irish Lions for First Nations Pasifika has fueled the fight for a maiden Test appearance.
“My first couple of experiences in Wallabies camps was pretty huge," he told Rugby.com.au at the start of the season.
"You just come in with an open mindset and try to be a sponge, and you're surrounded by players who have been there a while and who have that experience.
“After that Lions series, it gave me a massive boost in confidence in my game and I'm just trying to chip away at it and hopefully try and get back in the mix and try and get my first camp.
“That was huge going into [First Nations] camp and obviously finding out who I was going up against [in the Lions]. I was really excited, but as an athlete, you try to treat it as another game and not get too over-hyped coming up against class players like [Owen] Farrell."
Feliuai may have had a late start to his Super Rugby career, but he has emerged as one of the most experienced players in a youthful midfield group.
It comes after the departure of Len Ikitau overseas on a sabbatical, leaving the 34-capped centre to help the likes of Hudson Creighton, Kadin Pritchard and Jarrah McLeod learn the ropes, with the trio having six games of combined starting Super Rugby experience.
“It's been a massive loss, but also a big gain for us, especially the younger boys coming through to get a bit of experience," Feliuai believes.
“It's been good just to put my hand up and help out the younger boys. We've had a lot of talks between myself and a few of the boys coming up about things on the field and what I can help them with, but it's been huge."
