The ACT Brumbies' Test contingent will return to Super Rugby training almost a month earlier than usual in an early Christmas present for coach Dan McKellar.
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Wallabies players are expected to front for pre-season duties on December 16 after their early exit from the World Cup and in preparation for the first January start in Super Rugby history.
It will be a brief return before a 16-day Christmas break, but McKellar believes it will be a crucial period because of the change in the competition's schedule.
New Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is expected to reach out to Australia's Super Rugby coaches in the coming weeks to discuss players, plans and relationships before he steps into the full-time role next year.
A change at the Wallabies means every player is on notice to lift for the 2020 campaign, which all be Rennie's chance to cast his eye over Australian rugby talent and search for the next generation.
The Brumbies had eight players in Australia's World Cup squad, but only five will be returning to the club for next season.
Hooker Folau Faingaa signed a two-year contract extension last week, giving the Brumbies front-row continuity with Allan Alaalatoa and Scott Sio.
James Slipper will also be back next year after deciding to take up the second year option in his contract and Tevita Kuridrani signed a one-year deal for 2020.
All five will be back on deck for a week of training in December, breaking from the regular Wallabies schedule.
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The Wallabies usually return to Super Rugby training in January because the end-of-year tours don't finish until the end of November.
Australia, however, was knocked out of the World Cup on October 19, giving them almost two months of holidays before fronting for Super Rugby action.
The Brumbies will finish their first block of pre-season training on December 20 and return on January 6 before their round-one clash against Queensland on January 31.
"It's nice to have them back before the Christmas break, ease them back into the program and get them some detail so that when we come back in January, we're ready to hit the ground running," McKellar said.
Faingaa is the latest Brumby to make a long-term commitment to Canberra, joining Alaalatoa (2023) and Sio, Pete Samu, Tom Banks, Darcy Swain and Nic White (2022) in locking away their futures.
"Folau's not the final piece of the puzzle, but it's nice to know we've got quality front-rowers with depth behind them for a few years," McKellar said.
"There's a lot of quality in that pack. New players will get opportunities, too. There's a good sense of stability in the group."
The 24-year-old rake made his Wallabies debut last year and will be competing for regular Test game time next season.
"Folau's just getting started. He's got another 10 years ahead of him as a professional footballer. He'll continue to get better," McKellar said.
"He's nowhere near the ceiling yet. It's about continuing to work on what works for him as a footballer. It takes time to nail that down, he's a very talented footballer."