ACT Brumbies player of the year Allan Alaalatoa has declared his intent to ensure the club has long-term success despite the departure of several influential leaders.
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The 25-year-old is also hoping to turn his Super Rugby form into a World Cup dream after becoming the first prop in Brumbies history to win the Brett Robinson Award.
Alaalatoa's super consistent season was rewarded at the Brumbies' end of season function on Friday night, which doubled as a farewell to Christian Lealiifano, David Pocock, Henry Speight, Sam Carter and Rory Arnold.
It signals a massive changing of the guard, with Alaalatoa, Scott Sio and Lachlan McCaffrey to lead a new era into 2020.
Alaalatoa, who has already signed a four-year contract extension, was confident players were ready to shoulder more responsibility to avoid a rebuilding phase.
"Six of seven of the 11 blokes who are leaving us this year are senior guys. It is the end of one era in a lot of ways," Alaalatoa said.
"But when one door closes, another one opens for someone else. We've got a lot of young players who are waiting for their opportunity to wear the Brumbies jersey.
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"I'm excited about that. Leaders are going to have to step up as well. I'm excited to be here for another four years ... I decided to stay because of what this club stands for. I want the club to do well."
Alaalatoa will join the Wallabies at their Perth camp on Sunday before the first of two Bledisloe Cup matches.
Alaalatoa is hoping to prove he has overcome a foot injury, which he carried through the Super Rugby campaign and has kept him out of the Wallabies' first two Tests of the year.
Pocock will also join the camp, but the Wallabies are taking an ultra cautious approach with his recovery from a rare calf injury in the hope he will be fit for the first World Cup game on September 21.
Alaalatoa is aiming to be picked to make his World Cup debut, which would give him a chance to follow family footsteps.
Alaalatoa's dad Vili played for Samoa at the 1991 World Cup in a side which also included Scott Sio's dad David.
"Everything is going well with the injury at the moment, I'll find out Monday or Tuesday how it's going and whether I'm ready to play," Alaalatoa said.
"I want to keep building and keep getting better. I've been out of the game for four or five weeks, but hopefully I can continue the Super Rugby form into the Bledisloe Cup.
"The potential to play at a World Cup is exciting and if I get that chance it would be unbelievable. But I've got this injury and I have to get that right."
Alaalatoa joins a long list of Brumbies greats to have won the Brett Robinson Award, which the players vote for, including George Smith, Matt Giteau, Lealiifano and Stephen Moore.
"I'm really honoured to get it, to be honest. It's really special to get votes from boys that you spend every day with," Alaalatoa said.