ACT Brumbies co-captain Christian Lealiifano is a new dad but he's in a race against time to be ready to make a Wallabies comeback to play against England just days after the birth of his first child.
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Lealiifano was by partner Luga's side in Canberra on Tuesday as they welcomed a son into the world with just enough time for Lealiifano to put himself in contention for a Wallabies recall this weekend.
It remains unclear whether Lealiifano will join the Wallabies at their Brisbane base before starting a blockbuster series against England on Saturday night or if he will remain in the capital.
Lealiifano has already missed 10 days of Wallabies camp after his son waited until 10 days after his due date to enter the world.
It means Lealiifano would be limited to just two training sessions with the Wallabies if he arrives in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Lealiifano is a clear option to fill the Wallabies' inside centre spot but his absence from training could affect combinations and Cheika could opt to promote a player who has been in camp all week.
Cheika will announce his team on Thursday and is set to roll out a new-look side after making the World Cup final last year.
Lealiifano and Brumbies lock Sam Carter are two players vying for selection and using World Cup disappointment as extra fuel to chase the gold jersey.
Carter injured his knee at the end of the Brumbies' 2015 season, forcing him out of action for three months and derailing his hopes of being in Cheika's World Cup squad.
He did get a late SOS to join the Wallabies as injury cover, but didn't play a game at the tournament.
"So I was training and doing everything with the team, but I didn't get to play," Carter said.
"Hopefully I can do my best in the Wallabies squad this year. That World Cup experience is driving me a lot, it's at the back of my mind.
"My first goal was to get my jersey back at the Brumbies and then turning attention to the Wallabies.
"But it's a big squad and I've just got to put my head down and keep working."
Hard-working second-rower Carter will battle with Brumbies teammate Rory Arnold, former Wallabies skipper James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Dean Mumm and Will Skelton for the two starting lock spots.
Horwill is considered a strong chance to make his international return, while Simmons, Mumm and Skelton were part of the World Cup squad.
Arnold is the bolter option with the 208-centimetre lineout specialist in contention for his Test debut.
Carter missed 12 weeks last year after injuring his knee in the Super Rugby season, but the Wallabies helped set up a short-term deal in France to keep him close to the main squad.
He got a late call-up to join the Wallabies ahead of their pool clash against England when Skelton was ruled out of the World Cup with a pectoral injury.
"It was always going to be a real battle going into camp with so many locks picked," Carter said.
"Cheik is all about aggression from everyone in the forward pack, so if I can work on that then it will help me. There's a great buzz at the moment."
The Wallabies are continuing their preparations without Lealiifano, but he could make the trip to Brisbane in the coming days.
That might not be enough time for him to slot straight into the starting XV, despite being the standout option at inside centre.
His absence could set up a midfield battle between former NRL stars Israel Folau and Ben Te'o, who has joined the England camp a year after leaving the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
"Te'o is a great talent," said Wallabies assistant coach Nathan Grey. "He provides a really good strong ball-carrying centre.
"He's certainly on the sharper end of the queue in terms of being across what his strengths and weaknesses are."
Asked what his weakness were, Grey said: "His time in the game. He's been playing for a number of years now. But obviously taking that step up and playing international level is a big step.
"Everything gets tested at a higher level – you've got less time, less space. Your skills and execution under pressure is the hardest thing to replicate."
