Samu was in Canberra this week to meet ACT Brumbies officials before joining the Super Rugby franchise next season and to determine his availability for Wallabies crunch matches on an around-the-world trip.

The Wallabies are expected to name their touring squad later this week and Samu's potential absence would be another blow to the back row, with Lukhan Tui considering time away from rugby to be with his family.

The Wallabies have slipped to seventh in the world rankings after a disastrous loss to Argentina last weekend, putting Australia at its lowest ranking since the system started in 2003.

Samu, a Canterbury Crusaders championship winner, looked uncomfortable for most of the first half and was replaced by Ned Hanigan not long after half-time.

Test coach Michael Cheika will be searching for reinforcements if Samu and Tui are unavailable and the Canberra Vikings hope to find out as early as possible how international duties will affect their National Rugby Championship campaign.

Tom Banks and Joe Powell were released from Wallabies camp last week to play for the Vikings in their win against the Western Force at Viking Park.

Banks has played two Tests in the Rugby Championship this year, while Powell has been starved of international game time despite being in every Wallabies squad for the past 18 months.

There are some concerns Powell's development could be stifled given he's played just 46 minutes of Test rugby when other rivals are getting regular Wallabies game time or NRC match practice.

Cheika has used Powell as a third-string scrumhalf behind Will Genia and Nick Phipps, but that could change in the reaction to a rankings slide.

If Powell is picked in the Wallabies squad but doesn't play against South Africa or Argentina, he will travel around the world to train while also missing three NRC games.

The Vikings are waiting to hear from Wallabies officials about when they will name their squad and who will be included before coach Nick Scrivener plans for a crucial block of games.

The Vikings have won two games in a row and will face NSW Country at Armidale on Sunday for the midway point of a seven-week campaign.

Winger Lausii Taliauli is using the NRC season to help push his claims for an ACT Brumbies starting spot next year, vowing to shed three kilograms to give him the best chance of Super Rugby game time.

The Brumbies have bolstered their outside back stocks by recruiting Tom Wright and Toni Pulu, with the new pair to compete with Henry Speight, Taliauli, Chance Peni and Andy Muirhead for Brumbies caps.

Taliauli ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament last year, but the Brumbies offered him a new deal to help him restart his career.

"I've been slowly building ... I came back pretty heavy and I've been slowly chipping away at my weight and getting back down to where I need to be," Taliauli said.

"I'm down to about three kilograms left to go. It's going to be a tight fight for a wing spot next year, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"I've just got to keep getting involved in games in the NRC, shedding that weight and having a big pre-season [to get that spot]."

The Vikings are also helping usher in a new generation on Brumbies talent. Teenager Len Ikitau has cemented his spot at outside centre and has signed a full-time contract to train with the Brumbies next year.

The Queensland junior comes from the same school that produced Genia and Banks, and he's hoping to follow their footsteps to Super Rugby.

"I guess I've played [outside centre] through school. I'd like to isolate my position as a No. 13, but if I can cover wing or any other position that would be great," Ikitau said.

"[Tevita Kuridrani] is really quiet, but he's been awesome for me. I'm really keen to learn off Tevita and just pick up everything he knows.

"I'll just give it my all. If an opportunity comes where I can play Super Rugby then I'll take it with both hands. But next year is just about learning off guys like Tevita and Christian [Lealiifano]."

NRC ROUND FOUR

Sunday: NSW Country Eagles v Canberra Vikings at Armidale, 1pm.