ACT Brumbies halfback Joe Powell took the first steps in his Wallabies dream last week, but family tradition almost led him down the path of chasing Olympic Games glory.
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Powell was cut from the Wallabies squad on Friday after a week of training on the Sunshine Coast, but he will still come into contention for a Test debut against England if Nick Phipps or Nick Frisby suffer injuries.
The 22-year-old Canberra junior was a shock inclusion in coach Michael Cheika's squad after playing just eight Super Rugby games from the Brumbies bench.
But Powell almost followed his two Olympic gold medal hockey-playing cousins into a different sport when he was coming through the ranks.
Powell's cousins are Lisa Carruthers (nee Powell) and Katrina Powell, who both won gold for the Hockeyroos at the 1996 and 2000 Games.
"My dad played hockey and was close to playing for Australia, and my sister played hockey as well," Powell said.
"I had a go at hockey in under-18s, but I was playing rugby and rugby league so I didn't have enough time for all three and had to give it a flick.
"I just wanted to have a go of it, I liked it. But I just didn't have the time for it. I've got plenty of photos at home with those gold medals around our neck.
"That's something to look up to and aim for I guess ... it makes [sporting dreams] realistic I guess."
Cheika cut his squad from 39 to 33 on Friday before the team continues its camp in Brisbane ahead of the first Test against England next weekend.
Powell was thrown into the international training arena for the first time despite playing less than 100 minutes of Super Rugby in his career.
Powell was working as a tradie 12 months ago before signing a deal with the Brumbies and making his debut as an injury replacement.
But his call up to an extended Wallabies squad has put him on the radar for future international honours.
"I [didn't] know what to expect ... I guess pretty physical and some mental games," Powell said.
"I just went in there with an open mind and tried to learn as much as I could. That was my aim and you had to go in with the possibility that anything is a possibility."
The Brumbies will return to training at the end of the week, minus the nine players in the Wallabies squad, to start preparations for a 10s tournament in Mauritius.
The Brumbies will play French power club Toulon in their opening fixture at the event that will give fringe Super Rugby players a chance to stretch their legs.
Powell could come into contention, but the Wallabies may request he stays in Australia to be on standby for Test duties.
The Canberra Vikings will also name a training squad as expectations start to build ahead of the third National Rugby Championship season.
It was expected the Canberra Vikings would cease to exist this year and be replaced by the Canberra Kookaburras, but plans for a change have been put on hold until 2017.
