NSW Waratahs flanker Charlie Gamble understands Saturday's match against the Crusaders will be his best chance to press his claims for a Wallabies call-up.
Gamble became eligible to play for Australia last month, his status as a potential World Cup bolter cemented when then-coach Dave Rennie called the NZ-born backrower into January's training camp.
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“With limited time this year and with the shoulder injury, yeah it is kind of the only chance I have before the season finishes,” he told reporters about his Wallabies ambitions.
“I’m pretty excited to give it a crack. It’s all in the back of my head so time to empty the tank
“It’s exciting to come back into the starting side, it’s been a while…very excited to go back to seven as well which is my favourite position.”
The 27-year-old's season has been disrupted by a shoulder injury suffered in round four against the Hurricanes.
Gamble suffered a shoulder subluxation with a partial labrum tear at the front, featuring off the bench in the past five matches.
With a high chance of re-injuring, the Canterbury-bred backrower has built confidence physically and mentally to go all out against the Crusaders.
“I’ve rehabbed that very well…thought I had counted myself out there but actually done well (to get back),” Gamble said.
“It’s obviously quite hard to put at the back of my mind, it’s actually something quite serious. I think I’ve done a lot of strengthening work with the S & C to strengthen the muscles.
“The time coming off the bench has really built some confidence so it’s been feeling ready good.”
The Waratahs resisted the temptation to rest a host of their stars. Michael Hooper is the lone player rested whilst Lalakai Foketi (ankle) and Izaia Perese (back) are looking likely to be back next week.
“I just think each week we’re getting a bit better and we just thought it’d be a shame to change the team again,” assistant coach Chris Whitaker said.
“I thought the guys played some really good footy last week, some good combinations coming together and we’re starting to hit our groove.
“It’s a massive task for us to go over to Christchurch, but we just want to test ourselves against the pinnacle of the competition over the last few years and I thought it’d be a shame to break that momentum.”
