Unheralded winger Alex Newsome is intent on cementing his place in the NSW Waratahs' dream backline after being handed a rare Super Rugby start against the Brumbies.
Newsome will be the only non-Wallaby when he joins superstar Israel Folau in lining up outside Test aces Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Bernard Foley and Jake Gordon on Friday night in Canberra.
The 24-year-old has replaced Curtis Rona in what coach Daryl Gibson insisted was merely a long-planned rotation move.
"As I've said all along, we've got a high number of Wallabies and we need to rotate and manage our squad better," Gibson said on Wednesday.
"Cam Clark will get a chance next week (against the Crusaders), John Folau hopefully somewhere around there as well.
"(Newsome) took his opportunity well the other day. I've got every faith and trust in our wingers to do the job."
But after sealing NSW's bragging rights win over Queensland with a slashing try last Saturday night, Newsome has no plans on giving up his spot easily.
"Any time that you can get to wear the blue jersey it's obviously a big occasion. To definitely start the game is even more sweeter," he said.
"It's certainly a very competitive backline this year. You've seen guys who haven't got much game time yet.
"So, for me, the goal is just to try and start each week and get that consistency on the field because sometimes it's hard.
"There's nothing more frustrating than being on the bench and not knowing how much time you're going to get."
Despite being the odd man out in the Waratahs backline, Newsome feels he belongs alongside some of Australian rugby's biggest names.
"It's funny, you probably don't segregate Wallabies and non-Wallabies when you train together each day," he said.
"I've got full confidence in myself not only to rely on those guys but also to bring my game to to table and help those guys on the field and help the team as well."
Newsome says it's all about being dynamic.
"Sometimes when you play these forward-oriented teams, not much ball comes your way," he said.
"So it's about working off that edge and being involved and being able to offer yourself to the team."
Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Alex Newsome, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper (capt), Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons, Jed Holloway, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Rory O'Connor, Chris Talakai, Ryan McCauley, Lachlan Swinton, Nick Phipps, Mack Mason, Cam Clark.
