With the Wallabies pushing through a “train-eat-sleep” pattern in New Caledonia, coach Michael Cheika is set to deploy the freshest legs available against Samoa at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday.
And that shapes as the opportunity for players like Bernard Foley and Matt Toomua to show what they can do in the Wallabies’ starting side.
As they did in the USA before 2015, the Wallabies have been in Noumea for ten days on a gruelling pre-World Cup conditioning camp.
In humid conditions that apparently “mimic Japan”, the Aussie squad have been working long and hard, according to Toomua.
"Very, very busy. It’s pretty much get up, train, eat sleep, get up, train, eat, sleep,” Toomua said.
“Sessions start at 6am for training and getting done late in the night too but it’s been great and everyone is working hard now for the World Cup.”
Before they travel to Japan, however, there is one last Test match to play against the physical Samoans.
Samoa are ranked no.16 in the world but as learned in 2011, there can be no taking Samoa lightly - they sure won’t be doing anything lightly.
But after an intense conditioning block of training, the Wallabies have to quickly and effectively switch focus to playing mode.
Those playing in the Test against Samoa have begun to prepare separately from those who are not, and and all signs point to Cheika resting many of the players who have played the most minutes in the Rugby Championship.
That will give many players who’ve either been on the Wallabies’ bench, or out of the squad entirely, a rare chance to show their stuff.
David Pocock is set to make his return, and will reportedly start in the no.7, and players such as Joe Powell and Foley are expected to get a start after missing out throughout the winter. Christian Lealliifano is likely to be rested.
Samu Kerevi is set to be rested, also, which will likely see Toomua picked to start in the no.12 when the team is named on Thursday.
"I would always love a starting spot,” Toomua said in Noumea.
"I am a bit of a jack of all trades at the moment, filling in where I can. It’s been good. I have been getting in a fair few minutes. Start or bench I am pretty happy if I can do my job for the team.”
It’s a tricky balancing act for Cheika in the last month before a World Cup. All teams want to use the period to load up on conditioning to last them through the tournament, while also playing at least one game to keep up game readiness. And, naturally, the priority is to win that Test.
But all of those priorities must be done while not burning out key stars, who have to be in perfect nick for the World Cup opener two weeks later.
Those who were involved in the final Test against the USA in Chicago before the 2015 World Cup will remember it can be a difficult task to get all the competing elements lined up.
A make-shift Wallabies played terribly in the first half and only led the USA Eagles 14-10 at the. break, before senior Wallabies came off the bench and led the side to an eventual 47-10 victory.
As far as Samoa is concerned as an opponent, the Wallabies at least have the advantage of a healthy respect for Samoan rugby. Six of the squad - including Toomua - have Samoan heritage, and Allan Alaalatoa’s family ties even extend to his brother Mike being in the Samoan Test team on Saturday.
"We have about five or six Samoan guys, who come from Samoan heritage, in the squad, so I am sure my Dad (Ieru) will be torn,” Toomua said.
"He will probably be wearing half-half. If I have a chance to play against the Manu, Dad will be very excited. We will have a lot of family in both camps I think.
"Any time you get to wear the gold jersey is important, so obviously … people are looking at the World Cup, that’s only natural, but we do have a Test this weekend against a cherry strong Samoan team at home.
"It’s our last opportunity to play in front of our fans before we head up to Japan. It will be a huge opoportbunhity for the guys picked. We are looking forward to it."
The Wallabies and Samoa clash on Saturday, 7.30pm, at Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta. LIVE on Foxtel, Kayo Sports and Network Ten.
