It's rare for a coach and captain to speak over each other in a press conference and rarer still for them to say exactly the same thing. But asked after Saturday night's 52-13 victory against the Queensland Reds whether blindside flanker Mitchell Chapman should be in the mix for Wallabies selection, ACT Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles and coach Andy Friend blurted out in unison, ''He has to be''. After being stranded outside the match-day 22 for the first six rounds, Chapman has made all his opportunities count since he was picked to start against the Durban Sharks in round seven.

He was part of a completely dominant back-row performance against the Reds on Saturday, a timely performance given Test flanker Hugh McMeniman's season-ending injury last week.

Chapman has been close to Wallabies selection, but injuries have so far thwarted his ambition. He joined the Brumbies last season from Queensland.

''I think everyone's desire to play for the Wallabies is probably what drives them in the end,'' Chapman said. ''At the moment I'm really happy playing for the Brumbies. Six weeks ago I wasn't even in the team, so I'm happy to be playing and what happens from there, happens.'' Friend said Chapman's work had been important to the Brumbies' late-season success.

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