Scott Higginbotham is tugging at coach Robbie Deans for a second chance in his preferred starting position in Australia's Rugby World Cup clash with Russia on Saturday.
Higginbotham couldn't believe his misfortune when his backed seized up at training last Wednesday after he'd been named to play blindside flanker against the USA in Wellington.
The classy Queensland backrower had experienced similar heartache before, when he was left shattered at suffering a back injury while warming up for his Test debut against South Africa last year in Pretoria.
"The first time we named him on the bench he was unable to participate. But he does seem to like being named - maybe if we just leave his name off the list and leave him out there," Deans joked last week.
But this is no laughing matter for Higginbotham, who is desperate to once again hear his name read out on Thursday - but with the No.6 jumper.
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"I'll play anywhere to get a chance on the field," he said.
"I'm very comfortable at No.8 and have been playing there for the last two years for the Wallabies, in that particular position off the bench.
"But it would be nice to get a go at six, which I would have got last weekend and which is what I've been playing week-to-week in Super Rugby for the past three years.
"That'd be good."
The 25-year-old is likely to get his chance, with Rocky Elsom due a rest before next week's quarter-finals after starting in all eight of Australia's Tests this season.
Higginbotham's only obstacle could be Wallabies captain James Horwill, who also spent time at blindside flanker at training on Tuesday.
Deans' backrow selection puzzle centres on whether the Wallabies are prepared to risk starting David Pocock, who has also recovered from a back injury, at openside flanker after missing Australia's past two games.
If Deans and company prefer to inject Pocock off the bench, they will have to retain Ben McCalman at No.7, probably start Horwill at No.6 and Higginbotham at No.8.
"We've seen Scotty in that role before. We know what he can do and now that he's got himself back in shape he'll get an opportunity and then we'll go from there," Deans said, typically giving nothing away."
Australia initially had three No.8s in their 30-man squad, but with Wycliff Palu (hamstring) ruled out for the rest of the tournament on Tuesday and Radike Samo set to fill in on the wing at Nelson's Trafalgar Park this weekend, suddenly Australia are thin at the back of the scrum.
Meanwhile, Italy's 27-10 bonus-point victory over the USA on Tuesday night keeps alive Australia's hopes of still finishing top of Pool C and avoiding a sudden-death quarter-final with the Springboks next week.
If Italy can upset Ireland on Sunday and Australia beat Russia, as expected, with at least four tries, the Wallabies will top the group and face Wales instead in the first knockout round.
