Scrumhalf Joe Powell will trade Wallabies gold for Tuggeranong Vikings red when he returns to the John I Dent Cup just days after Australian coach Michael Cheika released him for club duties.
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Powell will clash with ACT Brumbies teammate Michael Dowsett in a battle of the halves when the Vikings play the Uni-Norths Owls at Viking Park on Saturday.
Powell was a shock selection in the Wallabies squad for the three-Test series against England after playing only eight Super Rugby games from the Brumbies bench.
He didn't make the 33-man cut for the first Test on Saturday night, but used his time with the Wallabies to make sure he would be ready, if needed, in the future.
Powell will use his Tuggeranong return to get valuable game time and send a reminder why he was picked in the initial Wallabies squad.
"I'm looking forward to getting back, Tuggies is where I've been playing the majority of my footy the past couple of years and where I've been getting most of my game time," Powell said.
"Going up against Dow [Dowsett] will bring the best out of both of us as well so that will be a bit of fun.
"It was a massive learning experience in camp with the Wallabies, seeing what it takes to be involved at that level and all the training and off-field stuff there is.
"You get an insight into the extra work that has to be done and that's something I'll take with me."
The Vikings are four points clear at the top of the John I Dent Cup as they fight to win back the premiership after losing the grand final last year.
They've lost just one game this season and can almost end the Owls' finals hopes if they win on the weekend.
Powell's last game for the Vikings was against the Owls and the 22-year-old played a key role in their win, but was also given a yellow card for the first time in his career.
Powell won't travel with the Brumbies to Mauritius for a 10s tournament in order to be on standby for the Wallabies, and he spent extra time training with Cheika's squad in Brisbane after being omitted.
"Cheik just said that you've got to play well with the opportunities you're given and he was happy to give me a go in camp," Powell said.
"I wasn't shocked when he tapped me on the shoulder and said I wasn't in that final 33-man squad, it was a good learning curve for me.
"I had an opportunity to learn how they play the game and see it up close so that if I do get a chance then I'm ready."
JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND 11
Saturday: Tuggeranong Vikings v Uni-Norths Owls at Viking Park, 3.25pm, Wests v Royals at Jamison Oval, 3.15pm. Gungahlin Eagles, Easts and Queanbeyan - bye.
