ACT Brumbies prop Ben Alexander has spent the past 11 years dreading homework, but the new university graduate insists he's happy to take on a weekly World Cup assignment and report to Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
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Alexander ended more than a decade of tertiary study this week when he graduated from the University of Canberra with a sports media degree.
But the hard work is about to begin again, Cheika assigning all World Cup hopefuls the task of reviewing their personal performances after every Super Rugby game.
Alexander has been a mainstay of the Wallabies pack since 2008, but his international future as a tighthead prop hinges on Super Rugby form.
The Australian cricket team was involved in a homework scandal in 2013, when four players - including vice-captain Shane Watson - failed to complete assignments issued by then-coach Mickey Arthur.
Cheika has asked every player in World Cup contention to review every game they play from now until the World Cup, encouraging brutally honest assessments.
"The mental prep for a World Cup is huge ... it's unique to any rugby that anyone plays throughout their career," Alexander said.
"We report to the coaches [at the Brumbies] every week, but what 'Cheik' is doing is new. We're all trying to find areas to improve. That's what it's all about."
Alexander moved from Sydney to Canberra in 2003 to start his degree at the University of Canberra. It opened doors for him to break into the Brumbies Academy and eventually earn a spot in the Super Rugby squad.
As he juggled his rugby and study, Alexander claims he was living off $10 a week, buying loaves of bread and blocks of cheese to feed himself.
"I was virtually living off nothing [when I was living on campus at the university], it makes me appreciate what I've got now," he said. "I loved the uni experience, living on campus with all of my mates. It was one of the best times of my life.
"I wasn't as studious as I should have been, but I got the degree done in the end. Hopefully that keeps mum happy for a bit. I didn't think I would finish my degree, to be honest.
"There were a few years where it well and truly got put on the backburner, rugby was my focus. But I wasn't as organised as I should have been."
The 30-year-old front-rower has played 105 Super Rugby games and 72 Tests.
He was shifted to the Wallabies bench during last year's tour of Europe and faces a fight to keep his place in the game-day squad for the World Cup.
The Brumbies have ramped up negotiations to keep Alexander in Canberra beyond the end of the year, and Cheika endorsed his form.
"I think he's been really good this year, he seems full of confidence and he's looking fit and strong in scrummaging," Cheika said.
"The players are doing reviews of their matches ... we've set some categories for them to analyse and I'm really happy with the way Ben has started the season, no doubt."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND EIGHT
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Free State Cheetahs at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Brumbies team: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Ben Alexander, 4. Blake Enever, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Scott Fardy, 7. David Pocock, 8. Jarrad Butler, 9. Nic White, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Joseph Tomane, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Henry Speight, 14. James Dargaville, 15. Robbie Coleman. Reserves:16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Jordan Smiler, 20. Ita Vaea, 21. Michael Dowsett, 22. Nigel Ah Wong, 23. Lausii Taliauli.
