Former Wallabies captain James Slipper admits his teammates are itching to get back into club rugby and put the ugly World Cup chapter behind them.
Australia's five franchises play trial games on Saturday with Wallabies stars expected to take the field earlier than expected after the calamitous group-stage exit at the showpiece tournament.
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The Wallabies have since farewelled coach Eddie Jones and replaced him with former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt, as the side looks for a fresh start after the code's low point.
Slipper, who used his break to return home to Queensland and spend time with his infant daughter, said he and his World Cup teammates needed the mental recharge during the time off.
"It's probably fair to say a lot of us needed one," he said.
"It was tough, one of the toughest things, or rugby environments I've been in.
"Results cover up a lot (and) when you're not getting the results, the pressure was on ... it was uncomfortable.
"When you come off disappointing results it's only natural to look for something a bit more positive and the future is always positive for everyone in pre-season.
"That was quite a young team that went over to that World Cup, so they're still pretty hungry to get out there and play rugby and I guess that's a good thing."
Slipper's ACT Brumbies face the Fijian Drua on Saturday, after the Melbourne Rebels take on the NSW Waratahs and the Queensland Reds battle the Western Force.
Fellow former Wallabies skipper Ben Mowen, who's now an assistant coach at the Brumbies, said the national team players were champing at the bit to play in the first trial game.
"They're ready, they've been in the program for a time, they're fit and ready to go, they feel recharged," he said.
"They're all really focused on putting a good performance out there ... (if you) look at the back end of last year the last memories aren't good, so they want to create new ones."
The Waratahs have named eight Wallabies in their starting line-up to face the Rebels in Moorabbin, captained by Dave Porecki.
Porecki steps in with Jake Gordon rested for the trial, who was named captain for the 2024 season.
The Wallabies hooker will serve as vice, with Hugh Sinclair rounding out the leadership group.
Prop Angus Bell will start his first game in the sky blue since his injury in last year's opening round, with Jed Holloway, Lachie Swinton and Langi Gleeson amongst the forwards.
Tane Edmed will start in the halves alongside 2023 Junior Wallabies captain Teddy Wilson, whilst Joey Walton will fill in at fullback after impressing during training.
