New Zealand-born Irae Simone on cusp of realising his Wallabies dream

Born and raised in Auckland, Simone was a rugby league prodigy who loved a representative team from a different code and nation.

Like all Kiwi kids, he looked up to the All Blacks. But unlike all Kiwi kids, he wanted to play for Australia.

And now the ACT Brumbies centre is on the cusp of doing just that.

Simone hit the road with 12 of his Super Rugby teammates to Cessnock on Monday, linking up with the Wallabies squad as preparations begin for next month's Bledisloe Cup in New Zealand.

He's one of 16 uncapped players in Dave Rennie's squad alongside Brumbies teammates Tom Wright, Noah Lolesio and Len Ikitau.

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Joining the Wallabies camp for the first time has Simone reflecting on that old family video, saying he's keen for the opportunity ahead of him.

"Being told by my parents what I said then, it's crazy. I pinch myself that I'm still here," Simone said.

"I'm pretty grateful to be given this opportunity. I'm going to take it all in, enjoy this experience and hopefully get a few games under my belt."

Simone's journey from south Auckland to Australia will come full circle when the Wallabies touch down in New Zealand later this week.

As a first time Wallaby, the 25-year-old says it would be a dream to make his debut in his country of birth and where his family still live.

Simone, who helped guide the Brumbies to their first Super Rugby title in 16 years on Saturday, is eyeing the No.12 gold jersey for the Bledisloe Cup Tests - with the opening match to played in Wellington on October 11.

While the front runners to start at inside-centre are 52-Test Wallaby James O'Connor and Melbourne Rebels' Matt To'omua, Simone says no jersey is guaranteed and will push for selection.

"I want to lead by action. You can talk as much as you want but if you don't want to show the coaches at training how much you want it, that'll put you in the best position to get into the team," Simone said.

"There's not a position that's secure at the moment and I know No.12 is up for grabs, so I'll be going for [it]. I know there's a few boys there but my eye is for that jersey.

"That was one of my goals at the start of the year so I'm not going to give it up too easy for those boys. I'm going to make them work for it."

Simone has let his actions do the talking down at Brumbies Headquarters, having grown from strength to strength since joining the club in 2018.

He was a NSW Waratah who struggled for minutes behind Kurtley Beale when he met coach Dan McKellar and assistant Peter Hewat in Bowral cafe.

He credits the combination of opportunities and dropping eight kilograms as a reason for his improvement at the Brumbies. And he's ready to take his game to the next level on the world stage.

"I had to take that all in to get my game up to where it needs to be. Now so far, my foot is in the door of the Wallabies squad," Simone said.

"I've got to take it all in, take my game to another level."