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Toby Smith left Australia for the United States last Saturday as an uncapped bolter in the Wallabies World Cup squad.
Now the Melbourne Rebels prop has shot into reckoning for a Test debut after being named on the Wallabies' bench for Saturday's match against the USA Eagles at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Smith, 27, a loosehead prop who can also play at tighthead, and barnstorming winger Taqele Naiyaravoro are the two uncapped players who were named in the Wallabies' line-up on Thursday.
However, Smith has had to sit on the news for four days, as he learned of his selection last Sunday evening when he had one-on-one chat with Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika.
"I was hopeful, like all the boys, of selection this week; but when 'Cheik' told me I was going to be playing it was very exciting," said Smith.
"I can't wait until Saturday to get the opportunity to put on the Wallabies jersey and get on the field."
It still remains to be seen if Smith, one of five props in the Wallabies' 31-man squad for the World Cup in England that starts on September 18, will get game time on Saturday - even though it seems likely.
Either way, Smith said being told he was on the bench in itself "gave me that extra boost at training" in the week since the Wallabies arrived in the United States.
Even better for Smith, after leaving Notre Dame University in Indiana where the Wallabies have been training, he knows that awaiting him in Chicago will be his parents.
After learning of his selection, they immediately booked their flight to the US so they could see his Wallabies debut.
"It will be pretty special," said Townsville-born Smith who was raised in New Zealand where he played in their 2008 under-20 world championship side and the 2012 and 2013 Super Rugby-winning Chiefs.
It was fortunate for Australian rugby that Smith returned to Australia in 2014 to join the Melbourne Rebels.
After impressing with the Rebels this year to make the Wallabies World Cup squad, and now the Wallabies bench for Saturday's Test, Smith's next goal will be to earn game time in the World Cup.
However, while Smith knows that Saturday is a prime opportunity to press his claim, he also wants to focus on the significance of it being his Test debut and to savour the moment.
"That [World Cup selection] is in the back of my mind, but with it being my first Test I am just focusing on this week at the moment," Smith said.
"And it's a pretty amazing place to be doing it. I never thought that I would be debuting in America, or in Chicago. It's going to be a special occasion."
Wallabies team to play USA Eagles at Soldier Field, Chicago on Saturday (local): 1. James Slipper (c), 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3. Greg Holmes, 4. Kane Douglas, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Ben McCalman (vc), 7. Sean McMahon, 8. Wycliff Palu, 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Rob Horne, 12. Matt Giteau (vc), 13. Henry Speight, 14. Joe Tomane, 15. Kurtley Beale. Reserves: 16. James Hanson, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Toby Smith, 19. Dean Mumm, 20. Sam Carter, 21. Quade Cooper, 22. Will Genia, 23. Taqele Naiyaravoro.
