'Something I've been dreaming of': Vella to start as Wallaby aids Waratahs

The NSW Waratahs have secured former Wallabies prop Pone Fa'amausili and ex-Argentine international Enrique Pieretto on loan deals as the club battles a front-row crisis ahead of a clash with the ACT Brumbies on Saturday.

The Brumbies have cleared James Slipper and Billy Pollard to play at the Sydney Football Stadium, but both will start from the bench as Vella is catapulted into the starting XV and Liam Bowron is forced out of the team. Meanwhile, Jack Debreczeni will start at flyhalf with Noah Lolesio rested, while Ben O'Donnell joins the bench in his comeback from an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

The presence of Slipper and Pollard is a major boost for a Brumbies outfit battling a concerning injury toll in the front row with Blake Schoupp and Fred Kaihea already out injured. But if Stephen Larkham can take solace in one thing, it's that he's not in the shoes of Waratahs counterpart Darren Coleman.

Fa'amausili joins the Waratahs from the Melbourne Rebels and Pieretto from the Glasgow Warriors on a week-to-week basis, with both able to return to their respective clubs if required.

Their arrival is a welcome boost for the Waratahs with five of the club's full-time contracted props sidelined, including Wallabies star Angus Bell.

Fa'amausiliwill start on the bench this weekend while Pieretto will arrive from Scotland on Thursday after his visa application was approved on Monday.

Vella will start in the hope of easing pressure on veteran loosehead Slipper, who left the field with a back injury after 30 minutes in last week's win over the Fijian Drua - during which the Brumbies' scrum was seriously tested.

At 23, Vella is still a newcomer at the elite level having spent last year on the sidelines with a torn ACL and admits butterflies followed him into the Super Rugby arena this year.

"Definitely, there was a little bit of nerves, but at the same time I don't think I could have been more ready with all the training footage and time on the sideline," Vella said.

"With experienced heads as well to turn to, I don't think there has been anyone in my position more ready for a debut and ready to take to the field than what I was with all the people around me.

"We always say there's a role for everyone in the team. I had a little bit more of a silent one last year, but actually getting out there and contributing with the brothers is such a privilege for me.

"To contribute to this team and this squad in an on-field way is something I've been dreaming of and looking forward to for a long time."

Should they be on the park at the same time, he could be on a collision course with 27-year-old Fa'amausili, who has earned seven caps for the Wallabies but has been unsighted at Super Rugby level this year having been stuck behind Taniela Tupou and Sam Talakai.

Some will remember Pieretto - who has played 30 Tests for Argentina - during his stint with the Jaguares on their run to the 2019 Super Rugby decider.

"Both Pone and Enrique give us experience and size in the crucial prop position where we have been hit by significant injury numbers," said Waratahs coach Darren Coleman.

"Both have played at the highest levels of the game and are hungry for opportunity. A genuine thank you to both the Melbourne Rebels and the Glasgow Warriors who have worked in a very co-operative and sympathetic manner to allow this."

Liam Bowron had barely finished his apprenticeship when the chippy from the Canberra Royals told his boss he'd have to down tools for a while.

"He's a pretty understanding bloke, old 'Glenny'," Bowron said.

Which is a good thing for Stephen Larkham after Bowron was plucked from club rugby to become Brumby No.260 and fill a gaping hole in the club's hooker stocks.

"I just finished my carpentry apprenticeship recently, so I've put that on hold for the moment to just focus on footy," Bowron said.

"I can't thank him enough for all the time he has given me off for footy and how understanding he has been."

Bowron got a late call-up when Larkham was forced into a mad scramble last Thursday night.

Billy Pollard was out with knee soreness while a line went through Lachlan Lonergan's season when he fractured his ankle last month. It was hardly ideal for a Brumbies outfit which had even considered sending scrum coach John Ulugia an SOS earlier this season.

In came Bowron, nailing six lineout throws from as many attempts to help the Brumbies to a win over the Fijian Drua.

How long he holds his place remains to be seen with Pollard back at training ahead of a clash with the NSW Waratahs at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

"I couldn't wipe the grin off my face for about three hours after [I got the call]. It was pretty special. I called mum and dad and let them know, it was pretty unreal," Bowron said.

"It was a pretty weird experience. I went to work Monday, went to work Wednesday, and came into training on Tuesday and Thursday. I found out late on Thursday, so it was a pretty surreal experience.

"Going to the game on Saturday, getting to finally have a game in front of family and friends, a childhood dream, a lifelong dream, to achieve that was pretty special.

"The days leading up were definitely worse with the nerves. Once I was on the bench, I was just more excited to get out there. I was just kind of itching to go. When I finally ran on, I was just ready to go.

"It was definitely a step up from everything I've done, but I wouldn't have it any other way. To go out there against a big side like Fiji, it was a really good way to make my debut."

The Brumbies are hopeful James Slipper will be fit to face the Waratahs after leaving the Drua clash after 30 minutes with a back injury, while fellow loosehead prop Fred Kaihea [hamstring] is on the comeback trail with Pollard.

"[Pollard] had the weekend off, freshened himself up a little bit, he has come back in really well this week already so looking forward to Billy being back on the training park and hopefully available for selection in the next couple of weeks," Brumbies head of performance health Byron Field said.

Bowron has vowed to empty the tank until Pollard returns, having shifted from flanker to hooker on the advice of pathways coach Dan Hooper - a conversation he recalled at Brumbies headquarters on Tuesday morning.

"There's a lot of talented flankers, you're probably not quite fit enough or fast enough to be a back-rower, so it might be worth making the switch to hooker," Hooper told Bowron.

Bowron figured if that was the best way to crack the professional ranks, he'd take it with both hands.

"I'm obviously still learning, throwing is nowhere near where it needs to be, or scrummaging," Bowron said.

"Every session here, I'm just trying to learn as much as I can from the other hookers we've got here.

"Even [Ulugia], an ex-hooker, he's a great asset to have for me. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, still learning every day."