Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is hopeful Tevita Kuridrani will commit to a new deal in the coming weeks, declaring the powerful centre a valuable asset to Australia's hopes of international success.
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Kuridrani and his ACT Brumbies teammates will have one more chance to impress Cheika when they play the Argentina Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Sunday morning Australian time.
Cheika will name his squad on Tuesday night for a three Test series against Fiji, Scotland and Italy, with Kuridrani locked in a fight to retain his No. 13 jersey.
The 26-year-old has been locked in prolonged contract negotiations for the past five months.
It's understood he's keen to stay at the Brumbies but his Wallabies future has been clouded by the rise of Queensland Reds star Samu Kerevi.
Kerevi dislodged Kuridrani from the starting XV last year, but the Brumbies strikeweapon got his chance on the end of year tour of Europe and scored four tries in five Tests.
Both are expected to feature in the mid-year Test series and Cheika, who was in Canberra at the Brumbies' State of the Union lunch on Friday, is keen to keep Kuridrani in Wallabies gold.
"I'm doing everything I can [with Kuridrani] and we're trying to work through that, so hopefully we get some news when [the Brumbies] get back to Australia," Cheika said.
"Tevita is a great player, and a great holding player in the midfield. I honestly believe the way Samu is playing will help Tevita as well.
"He's a guy I'm keen to keep and we are working on it. We've got to have a balanced squad [of ARU contracted players], everyone has their mark but hopefully we're getting close."
Kerevi has an attacking edge on Kuridrani this year, but the Queenslander has missed twice as many tackles as the Brumbies' midfield rock.
Kuridrani is the only Brumby to play every minute of every game this season as they search for back to back wins on the road when they play in Argentina for the first time in the club's history.
ACT scrumhalf Joe Powell, skipper Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold and Henry Speight are also pushing for Test call ups.
Carter's workrate has forced him back into Wallabies calculations while Fardy is still a contender in a young back row despite his looming departure from Australian rugby.
Fullback Tom Banks has caught the eye of Cheika as well, but the 22-year-old has played just seven Super Rugby games and is still finding his feet in professional rugby.
The Brumbies sit at the top of the Australian conference despite winning just four of 11 games this season.
The club is close to finalising its selection for a new coach, with Dan McKellar considered the front-runner to replace Stephen Larkham at the end of the year.
"The Brumbies have probably lacked a bit of finish, but they've been pretty consistent with their stuff this year," Cheika said.
"They've always been tight matches. We're looking at individuals in each team, we need to see which players best suit what we're going to do as well.
"We had nine Brumbies in a Wallabies camp and all nine are there or there abouts. It's been shown through the consistency of their play ... and right now you'd have to think they're favourites to win the conference."
Cheika is hopeful injured Brumbies prop Scott Sio will be able to play a role in the mid-year series as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
He also invited Christian Lealiifano to a Wallabies dinner six weeks ago as he continues his recovery from leukaemia.
"It's step by step for him when he gets back and starts playing again, there's no need to go overboard or rush things. His health is the priority," Cheika said.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 14
Sunday: Argentina Jaguares v ACT Brumbies at Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires, 7.40am. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 1.
Brumbies team: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Aidan Toua, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Ben Alexander. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Nic Mayhew, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Jarrad Butler, 21. De Wet Roos, 22. Andrew Muirhead, 23. Andrew Smith.
Jaguares team: 15. Joaquin Tuculet, 14. Ramiro Moyano, 13. Matias Orlando, 12. Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11. Baustista Ezcurra, 10. Nicolas Sanchez, 9. Martin Landajo, 8. Leonardo Senatore, 7. Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6. Tomas Lezana, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 4. Matias Alemanno, 3. Ramiro Herrera, 2. Agustin Creevy, 1. Lucas Noguera. Reserves: 16. Julian Montoya, 17. Santiago Garcia Botta, 18. Enrique Pieretto, 19. Guido Petti, 20. Javier Ortega Desio, 21. Gonzalo Bertranou, 22. Juan Martin Hernandez, 23. Matias Moroni.
