Tevita Kuridrani and Curtis Rona could be involved in a "shootout" for the Wallabies outside centre spot when they clash in the final round of Super Rugby.
Reds star Samu Kerevi, the No.13 in all three of Australia's Tests against Ireland in June, has been sidelined for between 12 and 16 weeks after rupturing a bicep.
That means Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will be forced to name a new outside centre for the Rugby Championship matches between August and October.
Brumbies stalwart Kuridrani has the experience, playing the vast majority of his 58 Tests in that position, but the Waratah Rona is no stranger to that position.
The former NRL star played there for the Western Force through 2017.
He has spent most of the current season at No.13 for the Tahs, after playing their first four matches on the wing.
Rebels utility Reece Hodge is probably the only other contender for the jersey.
Providing they stay fit and in form, Rona and Kuridrani are set to line up against each other in Super Rugby in just over a week.
"With Tevita Kuridrani and Curtis it's probably a straight shootout between them (for the No.13 Test jersey) and that's an absolute opportunity for Curtis," Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said.
"He knows he's got two regular season games to go to get himself firmly in that selection conversation, he'll do that through his performance."
Players in other positions will be keen to put themselves on Cheika's selection radar in the final part of the Super Rugby season.
While halfback Will Genia is expected to recover from a broken arm in time for the start of the Wallabies' Rugby Championship campaign, there's plenty of other contenders trying to stake their claim.
Nick Phipps started and Joe Powell came off the bench for the final Test against Ireland and they could also face each other in the final Super Rugby round.
Phipps' NSW colleague Jake Gordon and Genia's Rebels' deputy Michael Ruru are among the best of the emerging nines.
Ruru impressed against the Waratahs last week and Rebels captain Tom English believes his teammate has the ability to play at Test level.
"I think so, Michael definitely has the capability, he offers something very different to Will Genia," English said.
"He has more of a physical game, he's got a great kicking game.
"I think he has a bit of a presence on the field with his defence as well."
