Scott Sio embraces challenge from Wallabies' new era of props ahead of Bledisloe Cup

The Wallabies flew to New Zealand on Friday with players and staff set to enter hotel quarantine in Christchurch until day three, when they will be free to train in small groups following COVID-19 tests.

Dave Rennie's squad can assemble as a full group for training sessions from day six of their two-week quarantine period ahead of the series opener against the All Blacks in Wellington on October 11.

Among the group is a raft of young props including Taniela Tupou and uncapped duo Angus Bell and Pone Fa'amausili, who have exploded onto the scene for powerful running and offloads as much as their scrummaging nous.

Sio says the arrival of a new generation of Wallabies is only going to drive veterans like himself, as well as ACT Brumbies teammates James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa, to new heights with Rennie intent on rewarding form over reputation.

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"They're athletes aren't they? They're getting stronger, getting bigger, getting quicker and fitter," Sio said.

"It's only going to benefit world rugby, the prototype of the prop nowadays is forever changing and evolving. If we have the ability as a front-row to be able to dominate at the set piece and excel around the park there, it's only going to help the team.

"They're really putting pressure on us older fellas, James Slipper and I, to get back there in the gym and start throwing some tin around. We're trying to keep up with them as best as we can.

"It's an opportunity to learn and keep growing as a player. Every player always sees a situation differently, so it's good to find out from them what they're thinking and what they like to focus on.

"On the flipside, we can lend a hand and help in any way to make this process easier for them."

The Wallabies will play two games across the Tasman before returning to Australia to open their Rugby Championship campaign against the All Blacks in Brisbane on November 7.

But they will have to wait until round three of the six-week tournament, which boasts weekly double-headers, until they cross paths with former coach Michael Cheika.

The ex-Wallabies mentor will look to bring about Australia's demise in the four nations tournament after linking up with Mario Ledesma in Argentina's camp as an external advisor.

The Argentina clash marks the midway point of the Wallabies' six-match Rugby Championship campaign, with players facing life in the bubble until the tournament closes on December 12.

Sio and his Brumbies teammates drafted into Wallabies camp are confident they can cope with another long stint in a rugby bubble designed to ward off a potential coronavirus outbreak.

Because the prize on offer would certainly make the wait worthwhile as the Wallabies look to snap an 18-year Bledisloe Cup drought and secure the Rugby Championship to boot.

"The chance to represent your country at any point in time is all the motivation you need there," Sio said.

"We understand, we knew from the start it was going to be a shortened preparation time there and we were going to have to come in and be ready to go.

"We got a day to get our bearings when we got here, and then we were straight onto the training paddock the next day.

"It's kind of what the year has been like, everyone has had to adjust, adapt and get on with it. We've pretty much been straight into it here, which is good, you get over a little bit of a hangover, blow out a bit of black smoke early, and then get ready to rip in.

"It's pretty special, it's something we didn't think was going to be a reality earlier in the year. We're pretty blessed we have the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and have the opportunity to battle it out with the All Blacks for the opportunity to win the Bledisloe.

"For a lot of young guys it's going to be their first time in the Wallabies team, I'm keen to see how they attack it and get around it."

BLEDISLOE CUP

Game one: Sunday October 11 - New Zealand v Australia at Wellington, 1.30pm.

Game two: Sunday October 18 - New Zealand v Australia at Eden Park, 1.30pm.

THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Round one: Saturday November 7 - Argentina v South Africa; Australia v New Zealand at Lang Park.

Round two: Saturday November 14 - New Zealand v Argentina; South Africa v Australia at Western Sydney Stadium.

Round three: Saturday November 21 - New Zealand v South Africa; Australia v Argentina at Sydney Olympic Park.

Round four: Saturday November 28 - Argentina v Australia; South Africa v New Zealand at Newcastle Stadium.

Round five: Saturday December 5 - Argentina v New Zealand; Australia v South Africa at Western Sydney Stadium.

Round six: Saturday December 12 - South Africa v Argentina; Australia v New Zealand at Sydney Olympic Park.