The Canberra Vikings hope to find out early this week if Wallabies duo Tom Banks and Folau Faingaa will be free to play in their season-opener after making their international debut together in an Auckland debacle.
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Third-string Wallabies scrumhalf Joe Powell appears the most likely to be available for selection for the first round of the National Rugby Championship, but Banks and Faingaa could be added after getting limited game time.
Hooker Faingaa was rock solid in his 27 minutes on the field, hitting his lineout targets and holding up the Wallabies' scrum, making a case to keep his spot in the side for the next Test against South Africa.
Banks got limited opportunities in his nine minutes and his ongoing selection in the squad will likely depend on whether fullback Israel Folau is ready to make his comeback from an ankle injury.
The ACT Brumbies duo earning their first caps was one of the only pieces of good news for the Wallabies after they were thrashed by the rampaging All Blacks 40-12.
"It was a dream come true for myself," Faingaa told Wallabies media in the change rooms after the game. "It was a big moment for myself and my family. I just wanted to get out there and be a part of the team.
"I just wanted to get my hands on the ball and just cop the first hit, or make the first tackle just so I could ease into the game. It was an exciting moment for me. Only a few guys get to represent Australia and I'm one of those, I'm really honoured and privileged to put this jersey on."
Banks added: "I'm stoked to make my debut and hopefully there's many more to come. You look forward to it for so long and when it's finally here, it's pretty surreal.
"This is probably the biggest stage you can play on. A packed house and pretty hostile, but to run out was a dream come true. To debut at the same time [as Faingaa] is unreal, a pretty special moment."
The Vikings assembled for the first time on Sunday, with new coach Nick Scrivener bringing the squad together to set goals for the season and start planning their path to the club's first NRC title.
Brumbies winger Chance Peni will be in selection contention after serving a six-week ban for a dangerous tackle in the Canberra club rugby competition.
The rugby league convert will be itching for game time after two suspensions ruined his Super Rugby campaign, limiting him to just seven games for the Brumbies this year.
Powell will also be keen to get some game time after being relegated to a Wallabies training member for the past 12 months.
The 24-year-old has been in Cheika's squad for every Test since June last year, but has managed only a handful of minutes of Test action in his four Tests since his debut.
He could join the Vikings for the match against Queensland Country to get some match fitness before rejoining the Wallabies squad for the Test against South Africa in Brisbane.
NRC ROUND ONE
Saturday: Canberra Vikings v Queensland Country at Viking Park, 5pm. Entry is free.
