Ned Hanigan is learning the tricks of the back row trade and is convinced he's ready to help turn around the Wallabies' fortunes if recalled to start in Saturday's Test in South Africa.
With neither Pete Samu or Lukhan Tui on tour, the Dubbo product looks set to join fit-again Michael Hooper and David Pocock as starters in Port Elizabeth.
That would make it five changes to the back row triumvirate from the past eight Tests, with last-minute injuries causing havoc to the Australian team sheet so far in the Rugby Championship.
The injury cloud has passed for now though, with sunny skies greeting a fully-fit squad for Monday's first field session at Nelson Mandela University Stadium.
The affable 23-year-old isn't taking a likely promotion for granted, but says he's ready after a knee injury stunted his rise earlier this year.
"I honestly reckon, since I came in here last year, there's not much that hasn't improved (in his game) ... I mean that in the most humble way I can," he said.
"Being in that environment for long enough, you learn so many things about every aspect of your game."
Rucking and defensive lineouts are two facets in particular he has focused on, to the point where he's now comfortable playing cat and mouse with his opponent.
"You get more familiar with players, players do similar things (to indicate what is coming next)," the veteran of 15 Tests said.
"You've got to be a little bit careful because certain players know they do certain things and will do them as a fake.
"By no means am I anywhere near experienced enough yet, so making sure I keep learning is pretty important to me."
A substitute in Australia's last-start loss to Argentina, Hanigan says they owe it the coaching staff and fans to respond in Port Elizabeth.
"We can't be sitting there kicking stones and letting it just get worse," he said.
"We've got to grab it by the balls and try and turn it around.
"It's easy to point (the blame) at someone, but the 15 blokes that walk out, it's our responsibility to do what we say we'll do.
"And in terms of the coaching staff, they're the people for the job 100 per cent."
Share
