A brief return to Wallabies gold has ignited James Slipper's hopes of resurrecting his Test career, but the veteran prop says his World Cup dreams are still on the backburner.
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Slipper is instead focused on rebuilding the ACT Brumbies' battered reputation after they slumped to a loss against his former side, the Queensland Reds, two weeks ago.
They will get a shot at redemption when they play the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon, although they will be undermanned as coach Dan McKellar rests Wallabies stars.
Slipper isn't a part of the Wallabies' workload management plans for the World Cup this year after missing most of last season because of off-field dramas.
But he is still on the radar of Test coach Michael Cheika, who invited Slipper to a World Cup planning camp last month and then asked the 29-year-old to wear a Wallabies jersey this week for promotional photos.
All of the signs point to Slipper getting a chance to add to his 86 Wallabies caps. But the loosehead prop isn't getting caught up in ifs or maybes.
"I don't want to get ahead of myself. I haven't played yet and I'm not going to sit here and say I've made it back because I've been to a couple of camps or done interviews," Slipper said.
"For me it's hard to talk about it because nothing has changed. I just need to keep playing good footy for the Brumbies.
"I'm really enjoying myself here at the Brumbies and if anything, that has helped me with the fresh start and enjoying it. Whatever comes from it, Wallabies or not, we'll see what happens."
Slipper has formed a prop tag team with Scott Sio this year, but the Brumbies will lean on the former Wallabies and Reds captain for the game against the Crusaders.
Sio will likely be one of three Brumbies rested as per the club's agreement with Rugby Australia, with Folau Faingaa and Rory Arnold also likely to be unavailable for selection.
Allan Alaalatoa is expected to make his comeback from a wrist injury after missing the past two games.
The Brumbies are desperate to get their year back on track after an inconsistent start to the season, failing to win back to back games in the first six rounds and slumping to some dismal defeats.
The Brumbies haven't beaten the Crusaders anywhere in the past decade and haven't won a game in Christchurch since 2000.
"The thing about the Crusaders is that it doesn't matter where you play them - they're always tough," Slipper said.
"They always turn up, always compete and they're always consistent. I've been around a long time ... I haven't had much success over there. I played at their old stadium before the earthquake [in 2011].
"You've just got to get stuck in and rip in. We were average against the Reds, I haven't seen that many errors in my life. We just didn't turn up, we let ourselves down. We have to make sure we're playing the way we want."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND EIGHT
Saturday: Canterbury Crusaders v ACT Brumbies at Christchurch, 3.15pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.
