Bayley Kuenzle is ready to step out of his comfort zone for a chance to earn a starting spot for the ACT Brumbies, adamant he would relish a new challenge.
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The 22-year-old took the reins at flyhalf in six games during the Brumbies' triumphant Super Rugby AU campaign before being unseated by Wallabies hopeful Noah Lolesio in the final.
Lolesio is set to maintain a stranglehold on the No. 10 jersey while another Wallabies prospect in Irae Simone has made No. 12 his own at inside centre.
It leaves Kuenzle facing an uphill battle to claim a starting berth in one of his two preferred positions - but there could be an opening at outside centre following Tevita Kuridrani's move to Perth.
It would loom as a major test for the emerging playmaker, but Kuenzle says he would be ready to rise to the task should he get the tap on the shoulder about filling the vacancy.
MORE RUGBY UNION
"I wouldn't mind, another challenge. Hopefully it comes and I'll be able to put my best foot forward and do my best for the team," Kuenzle said.
"I'll hopefully get some opportunities in pre-season so I can work on that. I would not mind at all. It's up to the coaches, I don't mind where they put me.
"I wouldn't mind having a crack at 12 next year if I do get an opportunity, but I don't mind playing at 10 or at 12.
"The experience of playing at that level just helped me a lot. I learnt heaps, especially in that last [Queensland] Reds game [in round 10], I learnt a lot about the speed of ball, and what to call in certain situations of a game.
"That will help me heading into next year, whether that's at 10 or 12. I'll build confidence out of that into next year and hopefully put my best foot forward."
He will do so under a new attack coach with Peter Hewat set to depart the Brumbies this month to take up a two-year deal with the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar and chief executive Phil Thomson are on the hunt for a new addition to the coaching staff, with Laurie Fisher again set to be on board as an assistant.
"With a new guy coming in, there's a new opportunity for me to put my best foot forward and show what I can do, definitely good selection-wise," Kuenzle said.
"Hewy was big in my development coming through, especially last year and this year. He kept things pretty simple and helped my game out a lot. Hewy was a great coach and he will do well in Japan."
While the Brumbies' incumbent flyhalf and inside centre find themselves in New Zealand jostling for places in Dave Rennie's squad for the Bledisloe Cup opener, Kuenzle is in Canberra.
Kuenzle will play his first game for the Canberra Royals in their John I Dent Cup semi-final clash against the Uni-Norths Owls at ANU North Oval on Saturday.
He is one of three Brumbies drafted into Wayne Southwell's side alongside Connal McInerney and Tom Cusack, boosting a Royals outfit which dropped its last game 62-0.
The Tuggeranong Vikings will host the Gungahlin Eagles in the other sudden death semi-final at Viking Park, with the victors to collide in the following week's grand final.
"I know I haven't had many opportunities to play or train with Royals but hopefully this week I can just build into it, do my role, put my best foot forward and play good footy," Kuenzle said.
"I'm just looking forward to getting on the paddock and the feel of community rugby again. It was good last year playing club in Sydney, but I'm looking forward to playing in Canberra. It'll be a bit different but I'll be up for it and keen to go.
"It helps a lot with Connal and Cusack coming in. Unfortunately with Andy [Muirhead], he is unavailable. Having those guys will help us, especially in our pack.
"I think they struggled a few times a couple of weeks ago at the scrum and lineout. Hopefully those boys can boost that and set a good platform for us backs to put on a show."
JOHN I DENT CUP SEMI-FINALS
Saturday: Tuggeranong Vikings v Gungahlin Eagles at Viking Park, 3.30pm; Uni-Norths Owls v Canberra Royals at ANU North Oval, 3.15pm.
ACT WOMEN PREMIER XVs SEMI-FINALS
Saturday: Uni-Norths Owls v Goulburn at ANU North Oval, 1pm; Canberra Royals v Tuggeranong Vikings at Viking Park, 1.15pm.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
