New Wallabies scrum coach Dan Palmer says finding balance in life helped reignite his rugby passion after quitting the sport three years ago to pursue his academic ambitions.
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But the one-Test prop is still weighing up his coaching future and long-term study opportunities after emerging as the leading man to replace Mario Ledesma.
Palmer is on the verge of joining the Wallabies on an interim basis and juggle his end of university exams for a science and psychology degree in Canberra.
Palmer is considering furthering his studies next year and Wallabies details are still being ironed out, but it's believed Test coach Michael Cheika is keen for the 29-year-old to be a part of the World Cup campaign.
The former ACT Brumbies front-rower retired from rugby at the end of 2014, citing persistent foot injuries and a diminished passion for rugby as his reasons for prematurely walking away.
He started his degree at the Australian National University and was recruited by Laurie Fisher and Stephen Larkham to be the Brumbies' scrum technician in his spare time.
That balance has helped fast-track Palmer's coaching transition and he's keen to build on Ledesma's scrum foundations when he steps into the Test job.
"My life is certainly more balanced now than it ever was when I was playing, and I think that benefits both my coaching, and my studies," Palmer said.
"The Wallabies are heading in a very exciting direction ... Mario has done a fantastic job with the scrum over the past three years, and he is someone Australian rugby should be very thankful for.
"I have learnt a lot from him during his time in Australia, and I am excited by the prospect of building on what he has achieved."
Palmer could join the Wallabies for spring tour tests against England and Scotland if he joins Cheika's staff.
He is regarded as one of Australia's best scrum minds and even had a specific scrum machine built for the Brumbies to use at training to improve their deficiencies.
The Australian scrum has been heavily criticised in Europe in the past, but Ledesma helped resurrect the forward pack's reputation in international rugby.
Ledesma will leave the Wallabies after the third Bledisloe Cup on Saturday night to become Argentina's Super Rugby coach.
That has opened the door for Palmer, an ex-tighthead prop, to step up just five years after making his Test debut for Australia.
"My priority after rugby was to get my degree and I was lucky enough to get a job with the Brumbies at the same time," Palmer said.
"Sure, we are going to encounter some tough scrummaging teams over the next month or so, but surely thats what we want.
"We need to judge ourselves against some of the best scrums in the world. I have no doubt that the Wallaby pack can be a scrummaging force.
"I think one of our challenges at present is not necessarily our ability to scrummage, but rather our consistency."
