Lachlan Lonergan is a shock contender for a Test debut this year with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie adamant "we see immediate potential" in the emerging ACT Brumbies hooker.
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Lonergan is one of 14 Brumbies included in Rennie's 40-man squad for a camp at Sanctuary Cove next month, with the 21-year-old one of four hookers in a list missing Folau Fainga'a as well as prop Scott Sio.
Alex Mafi, David Porecki, Feleti Kaitu'u are the other rakes in the squad with Rennie opting for an entirely new hooker contingent. Last year's crop of Fainga'a, Jordan Uelese, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, and Tom Horton have all been overlooked.
Lonergan joins outside centre Len Ikitau, winger Andy Muirhead and locks Darcy Swain and Cadeyrn Neville as the uncapped Brumbies plucked out of Super Rugby AU.
"We're not just picking for the future. We see immediate potential in Lachie," Rennie said.
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"Obviously he hasn't had an enormous amount of footy, but he is very good at set piece. Throws well, excellent around the field, real presence, good athlete and aggressive.
"We think he has got a real point of difference and excited to learn a bit more about him. Those guys have played well, they've got a chance to force their way in.
"It's a position we need to create a lot more depth in. That's a message to the guys who aren't in, you've got to continue to work hard, your position is not safe, we think it's a good message for them. There's still a window for guys to fight their way back into it."
Allan Alaalatoa, Tom Banks, James Slipper, Noah Lolesio, Pete Samu, Irae Simone, Rob Valetini and Nic White round out the Brumbies contingent.
But Lonergan is the most intriguing name among the bunch having earned an opportunity for the Brumbies this year following injuries to Fainga'a and Connal McInerney, who both spent time with the Wallabies last year.
"This is my second year now so I've been with the boys for a while. Pre-season was good, I was pretty confident leading into the season," Lonergan said.
"Obviously with Connal going down, it sucks for him, but it was a good opportunity for me and I was comfortable in my role to complete it, and I'm having fun doing so.
"Obviously there is a lot of hard work that has got to go in behind the scenes to put myself in a position to [make a Test debut]. If I do that, obviously I'd be stoked with that result. We can only see what's to come."
Sio has been overlooked with Rennie opting for just two looseheads so he could blood four hookers.
"It gives Scotty an indication that there's a couple of guys ahead of him in our opinion, and our message to him is to really fight over the next couple of weeks. The fact we're only bringing two looseheads means it's in his hands," Rennie said.
WALLABIES CAMP SQUAD (age, team, Tests played): Allan Alaalatoa (27, Brumbies, 43 Tests), Tim Anstee (23, Western Force, uncapped), Tom Banks (26, Brumbies, 11 Tests), Angus Bell (20, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests), Filipo Daugunu (26, Queensland Reds, 5 Tests), Pone Fa'amausili (24, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped), Jake Gordon (27, NSW Waratahs, 5 Tests), Reece Hodge (26, Melbourne Rebels, 45 Tests), Trevor Hosea (21, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped), Len Ikitau (22, Brumbies, uncapped), Feleti Kaitu'u (26, Western Force, uncapped), Josh Kemeny (22, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped), Marika Koroibete (28, Melbourne Rebels, 34 Tests), Noah Lolesio (21, Brumbies, 2 Tests), Lachlan Lonergan (21, Brumbies, uncapped), Alex Mafi (24, Queensland Reds, uncapped), Tate McDermott (22, Queensland Reds, 2 Tests), Fraser McReight (22, Queensland Reds, 1 Test), Andy Muirhead (27, Brumbies, uncapped), Isi Naisarani (26, Melbourne Rebels, 8 Tests), Cadeyrn Neville (32, Brumbies, uncapped), James O'Connor (30, Queensland Reds, 55 Tests), Hunter Paisami (22, Queensland Reds, 6 Tests), Jordan Petaia (21, Queensland Reds, 8 Tests), David Porecki (28, NSW Waratahs, uncapped), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (24, Queensland Reds, 25 Tests), Pete Samu (29, Brumbies, 10 Tests), Irae Simone (25, Brumbies, 2 Tests), James Slipper (31, Brumbies, 100 Tests), Darcy Swain (23, Brumbies, uncapped), Lachlan Swinton (24, NSW Waratahs, 1 Test), Sitaleki Timani (34, Western Force, 18 Tests), Matt To'omua (31, Melbourne Rebels, 54 Tests), Taniela Tupou (24, Queensland Reds, 25 Tests), Seru Uru (24, Queensland Reds, uncapped), Rob Valetini (22, Brumbies, 4 Tests), Suliasi Vunivalu (25, Queensland Reds, uncapped), Nic White (30, Brumbies, 37 Tests), Harry Wilson (24, Queensland Reds, 6 Tests), Tom Wright (23, Brumbies, 3 Tests).