Tallis Duncan may solve Australia's second-row shortage for the World Cup, despite unusual positioning.
The South Sydney backline might be an unusual place to find the answer to Australia's second-row shortage for this year's World Cup but regardless of position the form of Rabbitohs tyro Tallis Duncan is fast becoming impossible to deny.
Of the backrowers who played in this year's Origin series only Liam Martin can be considered an automatic selection for Kevin Walters's squad.
Hudson Young and Dylan Lucas are both out with injuries, Haumole Olakau'atu will represent Tonga, Briton Nikora is already tied to New Zealand and Angus Crichton's status is uncertain amid his impending move to rugby.
Duncan would have to beat out the likes of Canterbury's Jacob Preston and Warriors veteran Kurt Capewell, and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, David Fifita and Heilum Luki will all be in the mix if they don't opt to represent Tonga and Samoa respectively, but the door is open for him to claim his first taste of higher honours.