Stephen Moore's lofty ambition of reaching the 2019 World Cup is only going to get "harder and harder" with age, Wallabies scrum coach Mario Ledesma warns.
But Ledesma is confident the Australian Test skipper won't die wondering, saying his thorough approach to fitness and conditioning will give him every possible chance.
Moore will lead the Wallabies out for the first time this year in Saturday's clash against Italy at Suncorp Stadium, his 120th cap making him the 10th-most capped international of all time.
It comes after the 34-year-old was benched against Fiji and Scotland, which triggered debate around where Moore fits in Australia's long-term plans and whether he should hand the captaincy over to Michael Hooper.
Ledesma said what happens in the future was all up to Moore and how he responded to challenges from up-and-coming hookers like Tolu Latu and under-20s star Jordan Uelese over the next two years.
"I can tell you 'yes' or 'no' and I could be right or wrong," he said.
"I've been there. You never know when you're going to hit the wall.
"You might be tracking really well and then all of a sudden you have no more legs and everything starts going too quickly for you.
"I hope he does. I'm waiting for the guys who will come and push him out - not that I'm wishing that but we need that depth.
"He needs to be challenged to get there in 2019 so I hope everybody challenges him."
Ledesman said Moore held up his end of the bargain by making all the right off-field choices.
"He's pretty good in his individual preparation on and off the field - food, he doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, he sleeps alright, he's always asking (fitness) coaches every detail he can work on to be better on the weekend and long-term too," he said.
"He's got a three-year contract so he'll go there anyway and if he's good enough, he'll be there."
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