Emerging hooker Lachlan Lonergan is using the final training block of the ACT Brumbies' campaign to pack on size in pursuit of more Super Rugby minutes next season.
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Thirteen Brumbies are across the Tasman with an eye on Saturday's Bledisloe Cup opener while those left behind continue to train at club headquarters.
Even a Super Rugby AU title hasn't stopped the Brumbies in their tracks, with Lonergan relishing his time among a group spending the final fortnight in the gym or on the track to improve speed and power.
The 20-year-old has set his sights on more chances to shine when the club begins its hunt for consecutive grand final wins as he plies his trade behind Folau Fainga'a and Connal McInerney.
Fainga'a is away with the Wallabies while McInerney was on Dave Rennie's players of national interest radar this year. Throw props Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper and Scott Sio into the mix, and Lonergan has a handy front-row to learn from.
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"It's been unreal. I've learnt so much from Connal and Lau," Lonergan said.
"The front-row, they're all away at the moment with the Wallabies. I've learnt so much in my set piece and my roles around the field.
"They give me tips and hints every week, it's been awesome, great learning for me and I'm excited to bring it all into next year.
"Definitely towards the end of the season I felt more confident with my role within the team. If that's just in Colts [group at training] and stuff, trying things and not being in my shell.
"I'm having fun, in the gym I've been putting on some size, good size anyway, I'm actually really enjoying it."
Minutes in Super Rugby were few and far between for Lonergan this year but he has a chance to help the Tuggeranong Vikings to the John I Dent Cup grand final this weekend.
A raft of Brumbies will be on show when Tuggeranong face Gungahlin at Viking Park on Saturday, while the Uni-Norths Owls meet Canberra Royals for the other place in the decider.
"I feel like they're expecting the boys coming back to help lead. No one has taken over the leadership role or anything, they're just butting in when they can to give advice and what we feel like the team needs," Lonergan said.
"We do what we can, they've been there all year and know their systems. We are asking questions, so at the same time they're helping us.
"We're still hurting over the loss last year in the final, the boys are raring to go this weekend and hopefully we bring it into the grand final.
"To us, we're going to treat it as a grand final. They've got a lot of boys coming back from Brums, they've been ticking along very well towards the end of the season.
"It's going to be a test for us, but that's what we like. We want a tough game coming into this weekend so we're excited for it."
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.
