There will be plenty of fringe Wallabies desperate to impress in the annual Barbarians fixture, but not all of them will be wearing green and gold.
Barbarians captain Quade Cooper will take centre stage on October 28, when the playmaker confronts an opposition he has represented in 70 Tests.
It is simplistic to suggest Cooper's hopes of taking part in Australia's spring tour of Europe, starting with a Japanese stopover for a Test on November 4, will be decided in the one-off fixture.
But the fact is Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will wait until October 29 to pick the touring party. The previous day will be an obvious form guide.
"This is a great opportunity for some guys to make their case for selection," Cheika told reporters.
A barnstorming performance in the black-and-white hoops from Cooper could create plenty of headaches for Cheika - on the field and off it.
Barbarians coach Alan Jones has made it clear the 29-year-old will be given a licence to thrill in the one-off fixture.
"I don't want people to be limited by the structure. I want people to be liberated by the opportunity," former Wallabies mentor Jones said.
Fullback Tom Banks, a potential bolter for the Wallabies' spring tour, is another Barbarian seeking to prove a point.
But all eyes will be on Cooper's fancy footwork, with the former Wallabies regular having been overlooked throughout this year's Rugby Championship.
Cheika declared Cooper was "definitely" in the mix for the spring tour.
"He probably could have been playing for us very easily here (in the Barbarians fixture)," he said.
"But I spoke to Alan about it and what he could bring to the game from the other side."
Cooper will play a more expansive role under Jones than Cheika, but that won't hurt his bid for a call-up.
"It's all about the basics of the game," Cheika said.
"The communication, the work ethic, the stuff we're looking for in general.
"From what we've been watching in NRC, he's been guiding the team around nicely."
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