Melbourne Rebels recruit Mike Harris is emerging as a ready-made fullback replacement for Jason Woodward.
Woodward's signing with the Hurricanes looked like it would leave a gaping hole in the Rebels backline but former Red Harris appears first choice to step in.
He can also offer Melbourne a top-notch goal-kicking option in Woodward's absence.
The 25-year-old will have first crack at the No.15 jersey when he goes up against his former side Queensland in their Super Rugby trial in Cairns on Saturday night.
The 10-Test Wallaby joined Melbourne after four years in Queensland including playing in their 2011 title-winning side.
Harris can play five-eighth or inside centre but said he was settling into the No.15 role.
"I will play wherever's best for the team and I'd like to keep all three strings to my bow," Harris said.
"But I've had a lot of training time at the back and it's something that I'm quite enjoying."
Last year the Rebels made an early statement winning each of their trials - including one against eventual champions NSW - and Harris said they were intent on hitting the ground running again.
"With only two trials there's not that time to ease in," he said.
"Everyone's going to be fired up ready to go and the lungs are going to be tested."
He was happy to get his first match against his team out of the way before the season proper - and hoped he could use some inside knowledge to assist his new team.
"I'm looking forward to playing against them," he said.
"I know them quite well so hopefully I can use that as an advantage.
The have named a 28-man travelling squad that includes seven potential Rebels debutants; backs Cam Crawford, Mike Harris, Sefanaia Naivalu, Jonah Placid and Dom Shipperley, hooker Tom Sexton and second rower Steve Cummins.
