A photo of him wearing a Wallabies jersey was implausible just two days ago.

Meanwhile, Cheika hasn’t made a call on who will directly replace Jordan Uelese as the squad’s third hooker. With Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Folau Faingaa on deck, as well as Tolu Latu in just a “training capacity”, there appears little urgency to bring another player in.

Another Rebels rake, Anaru Rangi, is still in the mix to board a flight to Brisbane but there is logic in waiting until next week when the squad travels to Melbourne before getting a proper look at the 29-year-old in his own city.

Adam Korczyk and Lopeti Timani were also spotted, despite not being named in the official squad.

Another back-rower, Ned Hanigan, jogged around lightly but is aiming to be be right for the second Test.

The Wallabies have a settled back line for this weekend’s match. The 9-10-12-15 spine of Will Genia, Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale and Folau are conscientiously going about their work like any other Test week.

This Wallabies squad has fewer rookies than 2016 and 2017 but there are two youngsters who will all but morph into sponges this week in a bid to soak up as much knowledge as possible.

Tom Banks and Jack Maddocks have been two standout Australian performers in Super Rugby this season and have both been rewarded with selection in their first proper Wallabies squad.

They passed a ball with one another, with Maddocks on lighter duties due to a foot knock he picked up against the Blues on Saturday.

Funnily enough, both of them tuned into Fox Sports on the couch at their respective homes to hear Cheika read their name out to the nation.

“I watched it in my room, it was a pretty surreal moment,” Banks said. “I really didn’t expect it. I hadn’t heard anything. I was honestly watching it for the other boys to see who made it. I heard my name called out … I was pretty stoked.

“We don’t have Foxtel at home, so I was watching it on my phone on mum and dad’s account.”

Banks would need Folau and perhaps a few other backs to be seriously injured for him to be in frame for a Test debut but he is enjoying the new environment.

“You’re always hopeful you are [close] but I’ve just come in here with the intention to try and train as hard as I can,” Banks said. "I just want to learn what I can off some players like Israel. He is a step above everyone at the moment ... he’s been playing unbelievable footy. Hoping my time will come eventually.”

As for Maddocks, Genia has watched him closely at club level and thinks very highly of the 21-year-old, jokes aside.

“He seems like a bit of an airhead," Genia said. "He’s a space cadet but he’s actually got a really good footy brain. He’s got incredible talent. He’s incredibly quick, he’s good under the high ball. He’s a big guy, strong in contact and he’s just got X-factor all over. Hopefully he and the young guys can make the most of training with Izzy, Bernard Foley, Pocock, Hooper and gain as much experience as they can.”