ACT Brumbies hooker Robbie Abel admits he has a desire to avoid playing rugby union matches on Sundays to align with his Mormon faith, but is happy to juggle sport and religion for the Canberra Vikings.
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Abel will start at hooker when the Vikings play the Western Sydney Rams at Viking Park on Sunday.
The match is another step in his bid to win more game time for the Brumbies next year as the Super Rugby club searches for a long-term successor to skipper Stephen Moore.
Abel restarted his rugby career in 2013 after taking a two-year break to complete a Mormon mission on the streets of Western Australia.
NRL star Will Hopoate did a similar mission and put his rugby league career on hold before making a decision not to play games on Sundays for religious reasons.
It meant he didn't play in the Canterbury Bulldogs' elimination final a week ago and Abel praised him for his sacrifice.
Abel has considered following the same path, but feels comfortable with the rugby-religion balance in his life. Super Rugby matches are generally played on Fridays or Saturdays, but the Vikings have are playing their fourth Sunday game in a row.
"I have thought about not playing. When I returned home from serving a mission, one of the big things was not wanting to play on Sundays," Abel said.
"Even now, I'm still not the greatest fan of playing on Sundays. We [the Vikings] have five Sunday games in a row [with another next week] to start the National Rugby Championships.
"In an ideal world for me, I'd love to do exactly the same thing as Will and have my Sundays free for church.
"But I know it's a case-by-case basis. But sometimes it's a bit harder in practicality. Last year we only had one Sunday game but it's different this year.
"There are a lot of religious players in our team and others. I know some families of the boys aren't too happy with the Sunday games and they all try to come to the games after church. Some maybe don't come because the games are on Sunday.
"I haven't spoken to [anyone at the Vikings] about it, it's out of their control when games are on. I'm very lucky to be at the Brumbies where they are very family focused and respectful of people's beliefs."
Abel says he will continue considering not playing on Sundays at different stages of his career.
But for now he's ready to suit up for a battle against the Rams as the Vikings look to build on their 52-20 win against Brisbane City last weekend.
The Rams are coached by former Wallabies assistant John Muggleton with former Brumbies and Wallabies hooker Jeremy Paul as an offsider.
The Rams will roll out Fiji Olympic Games sevens champion Vatemo Ravouvou while the Vikings will test young gun Nick Jooste at fullback.
Abel said the Vikings were given a wake-up call two weeks ago when they were smashed 60-28 by the NSW Country Eagles.
"We got a bit of redemption last weekend but we still have plenty to work on that we need to work on," Abel said.
"When you've got a lot of players in your team with Super Rugby experience, opposition guys want to prove themselves if they're trying to win contracts. I've been in that position so I know what it's like."
Meanwhile, Brumbies flanker Scott Fardy played for the Sydney Rays on Saturday after being overlooked for the Wallabies side to play Argentina in Perth.
NRC ROUND FOUR
Sunday: Canberra Vikings v Western Sydney Rams at Viking Park, 1pm. Tickets available at the gate.
Vikings team: 15. Nick Jooste, 14. Andrew Robinson, 13. Andrew Smith, 12. Jordan Jackson-Hope, 11. Lausii Taliaulii, 10. Robbie Coleman, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jarrad Butler, 7. Dean Oakman-Hunt, 6. Tom Staniforth, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Blake Enever, 3. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 2. Robbie Abel, 1. Sione Taula. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Faalelei Sione, 18. Ray Dobson, 19. OJ Noa, 20. Darcy Swain, 21. Brent Hamlin, 22. Jake Rakic, 23. Jamie Kotz.
