ACT Brumbies co-captain Sam Carter could launch his hopes of a Wallabies recall in the National Rugby Championship as the Canberra Vikings prepare for a new beginning on September 2.
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Carter completed fitness training by himself at Brumbies headquarters on Tuesday morning after being cut for the Wallabies squad two weeks ago.
But the Vikings could be a platform for Carter to show the Wallabies what they're missing after coach Tim Sampson finalised his squad.
Carter is allocated to the Vikings but it is unclear if he will be available for all NRC games as the Brumbies and Wallabies manage his workload.
Flanker Tom Cusack will be the Vikings' skipper less than a year after playing for the Australian sevens team at the Olympic Games in Rio.
The Vikings start their season against Queensland Country at Viking Park in two weeks but Sampson will not know which Wallabies players are available until closer to the game.
Kyle Godwin will join NSW Country, but Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Scott Sio, Tevita Kuridrani, Joe Powell and Henry Speight are all on the Vikings' radar if they aren't required for international duties.
"They could be here one week and gone the next, it's a week to week with the Wallabies," Sampson said.
"They are aligned to us. I hope they're wearing the green and gold, but I think those players can have an influence on the young players we've selected.
"The young guys will see how important it is to prepare yourself and recover at that next level."
The Vikings Group has taken ownership of the team this year after ending a three-way venture between the Vikings Group, the Brumbies and the University of Canberra.
The team will boast 16 Brumbies players as well as Wallabies representatives, while Sampson has picked a host of development players, including Mack Hansen and Darcy Swain.
Royals, who are unbeaten in the Canberra first grade competition, have six representatives while Brumbies flyhalf Wharenui Hawera will also play for the Vikings.
Cusack played two games for the Brumbies this year and has been cleared of concussion symptoms to play for Royals in the John I Dent Cup grand final on Saturday.
The 24-year-old spent four years in the Australian sevens system and was named in an all-star Olympic team last year before switching to the Brumbies.
"This is a good opportunity to mix with a new group of players and get a good environment going," Cusack said.
"It's a whirlwind tournament ... it's no easy task being in a leadership group. But I have faith in Tim that they'll make it as easy as possible.
"I'm very humbled by the opportunity ... I like to pride myself on how I hold myself on and off the field so to be recognised like this is a privilege."
NRC DRAW
September 2: Canberra Vikings v Queensland Country at Viking Park, 1pm.
September 10: Canberra Vikings v Perth Spirit at Viking Park, 1pm.
September 17: Brisbane City v Canberra Vikings at UQ Rugby Club, Brisbane, 1pm.
September 23: NSW Country Eagles v Canberra Vikings at Bellevue Oval, Armidale, 1pm.
September 29: Canberra Vikings v Fiji at Viking Park, 7.30pm.
October 8: Melbourne Rising v Canberra Vikings at Frankston Park, Frankston, 1pm.
October 15: Canberra Vikings v Sydney Rays at Viking Park, 3pm.
October 29: Greater Sydney Rays v Canberra Vikings at TG Millner Oval, Sydney, 3pm.
Canberra Vikings squad: Andrew Robinson, Andrew Muirhead, Angus Wagner, Angus Allen, Ben Hyne, Ben Johnston, Blake Enever, Brodie Leber, Darcy Swain, Dean Oakman-Hunt, Ernest Suavai, Falou Fainga'a, Fred Dorrough, George Morseau, Harry Lloyd, James Dargaville, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Josh White, Lausii Taliauli, Len Ikitau, Les Makin, Liam Mosely, Liam Rasch, Lolo Fakaosilea, Mack Hansen, Max Bode, Michael Oakman-Hunt, Pedro Rolando, Rob Valetini, Robbie Abel, Ryan Lonergan, Sam Thomas, Faalelei Sione, Sione Taula, Tom Cusack, Tom Banks, TP Luteru, Wharenui Hawera.
