Bayley Kuenzle will use his first National Rugby Championship start to make his stamp on the Canberra Vikings' No.10 jersey and boost his chances of a Super Rugby berth.
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The 21-year-old flyhalf will start his first match of the season when Canberra host Fijian Drua at Viking Park on Saturday.
Kuenzle is one of four hopefuls pushing their case to replace Christian Lealiifano as the ACT Brumbies' starting flyhalf, with Noah Lolesio, Mack Hansen and schoolboy Reesjan Pasitoa in the mix.
Lolesio got the first opportunity to impress at flyhalf but Kuenzle will be thrust into the spotlight and has a chance to test his talent in the Vikings' crucial clash.
"Knowing the [starting flyhalf] spot is open with the likes of Noah, Reesjan and myself, it's a good opportunity for us to come through with a new kind of look," Kuenzle
"It's my first opportunity to have a good crack. The [NRC] also helps build combinations and get used to playing with the squad, there's a lot of Brumbies boys with the Vikings. It'll be a good bridge in hopefully building the preseason and into next year."
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It's been a whirlwind year for the promising playmaker, who travels hours travelling between Canberra and his Sydney hometown chasing his Super Rugby dream.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar offered him an opportunity to continue playing Shute Shield for another year with Southern Districts before committing to Canberra on a full time basis.
"It was a good pathway for me and I definitely improved," Kuenzle said.
"The competition is getting stronger [in Canberra] but it was a good bridge for me to come into the NRC, although I haven't had much game time this year.
"It's a big game but I just want to do the little things well and bring a different side, a different attacking edge. Hopefully I can also control the game well because it's a big game for our season - if we do well then we've got a good shot of making finals."
The fourth-placed Vikings are clinging to their semi-finals spot with only three games left in the regular season, while the Fijians head into the must-win clash in flying form.
Scrivener has named a number of changes for their round-five clash to rotate the squad and hopes to combat Fiji with bigger bodies.
Will Miller returns to the starting XV at flanker and links up with Wallabies Pete Samu and Rob Valetini in the backrow, while Toni Pulu starts on the wing.
Lolesio will be rested after four consecutive starts and makes way for Kuenzle, while Hansen covers from the bench.
"Noah, for a young guy who is driving the team around at this level, he's an easy, high workload," Scrivener said.
"A lot of traffic comes his way physically and he's got a few bangs on his body. Bayley has come off the bench, we want to have a look at him and give him an opportunity.
"He's spent enough time to be able to run the ship for us and I'm really confident he'll do a good job."
NRC ROUND FIVE
Canberra Vikings v Fijian Drua at Viking Park, Saturday 12pm.
Vikings: 1. Bo Abra 2. Connal McInerney 3. Angus Wagner 4. Darcy Swain (C) 5. Blake Enever 6. Pete Samu 7. Will Miller 8 Rob Valentini 9. Ryan Lonergan 10. Bayley Kuenzle 11. Tom Wright 12. Irae Simone 13. Len Ikitau 14. Toni Pulu. Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan 17. Fred Kaihea 18. Max Bode 19. Nick Frost 20. Angus Allen 21. Joe Powell 22. Mack Hansen 23. George Morseu
