The only hurdle in front of Hanson's World Cup dream was that he was in Melbourne starting his new "journey" with the Rebels and his Wallabies kitbag was still in Brisbane. Cheika's call kicked off a long journey from Melbourne to Brisbane, back to Melbourne and on to London in less than 30 hours to join the Wallabies. The back-up hooker can lay claim to being the best-informed player in Wallabies camp after recording every World Cup match and waking early to watch Australia's pool matches. But the 27-year-old wants to make sure he is not just a passenger in his first World Cup campaign, even after a two-month emotional roller-coaster.

"Initially it was disappointing not to get named in the squad, but I knew I was only an injury away from being called over," Hanson said.

"I had to be physically and mentally right to come over for the competition ... I wanted to feel prepared.

"The biggest thing Cheik has driven is that belief. The moment you start doubting yourself, that's when you get in trouble. You can get caught in the trap of coming over here and enjoying the atmosphere and being a passenger ... but for me, I want to be ready to fire because it's the business end, it's do or die." Hanson sat in the stands in New Zealand four years ago and watched the Wallabies beat South Africa in the World Cup quarter-final.

It ignited a World Cup fire and Hanson knew he wanted to be involved at the next tournament.

He was in the stands again on Saturday night (Sunday morning ADST) for the Wallabies' pool-of-death clash against England and he could come into selection contention to play Wales next weekend.

Cheika left him out of the initial 31-man squad, raising eyebrows with his decision to pick only Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau as specialist rakes.

But Hanson never gave up hope of getting a call and Cheika picked up the phone to call the former Queensland Red when a hamstring injury ended Wycliff Palu's tournament and Test career.

Palu is a big ball-running No.8, but Cheika opted to call Hanson instead of searching for another damaging back-rower.

"I had just played for the Stars [in the National Rugby Championship] in Sydney and then I went to Melbourne to start my journey [with the Rebels]," Hanson said.

"I was on the way to training on Tuesday when Cheik called. I had a bag packed, but it was in Brisbane.

"So I had to fly from Melbourne to Brisbane, pick up the bag and then Brisbane to Melbourne before [flying] to London.

"Watching the games and the travel has helped me stay in sync a bit so jet lag hasn't been a problem." After the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup squad, Hanson was asked to join the Wallabies for a training camp in the United States.

But when the squad flew to London to start the tournament, he flew back to Brisbane to start his move from the Reds to the Rebels.

Hanson refused to let the setback crush his spirit and wants to show Cheika he is ready to be called on if needed. "I kept in contact, I woke up early for all the Wallabies' games and I recorded every other game so it's awesome time to be over here," Hanson said. "As a kid growing up, this was the ultimate. It's great to be involved and hopefully I can fulfil my role, whatever that is.

"It's different to having a few beers at the game, but it was an ambition of mine to be involved in this one and I'm here now."