ACT Brumbies scrumhalf Lachie Albert knows how quickly life can change in search of Super Rugby cap

Here he is, slaving away during a humid ACT Brumbies pre-season, stuck behind the starting Wallabies scrumhalf and another who spent months in Australian camp this year.

But the Brumbies prospect knows how quickly life can change.

"I know last year Lenny [Ikitau] was stuck behind Tevita [Kuridrani], and now he is the starting 13 for the Wallabies," Albert said.

That's why Albert won't spend a second sulking during pre-season. In fact, the former Australian Schoolboys scrumhalf would rather be here than anywhere else.

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Tasked with the balancing act of persistently knocking on the door while patiently waiting for his chance, Albert is relishing the chance to learn from the likes of Nic White and Ryan Lonergan with an eye on a Super Rugby Pacific debut.

"I think that is the big thing with [Brumbies coach Dan McKellar] and the set-up here, you want to make sure you're ready to play, and once you are, you want to make the most of it. You don't want to go out there and be another person on the field, you really want to stamp your mark on the Super Rugby scene," Albert said.

"For Darcy [Swain] and Lenny, they've done it at the Wallaby level. It's evidence of how strong the depth is here in the program.

"Being in this set-up, compared to other franchises in Australia, having two Wallaby halfbacks in front of you gives you perspective of where you're at in terms of the quality of player here.

"You'd rather learn here in the best program in Australia rather than playing and being undercooked and not ready for that experience."

Albert has moved up a place in the pecking order following Issak Fines-Leleiwasa's move to the Western Force.

White is 31 years old and could be given a breather at some stage during the 2022 campaign, which would likely elevate Lonergan to the starting XV and open a spot on the bench for Albert to make his debut.

"The message to the players is that the opportunity can knock at any time. You could be thinking it's a long way off but all of a sudden you get the tap on the door," Brumbies assistant coach Rod Seib said.

"He's an exciting young prospect, Lachie. His skillset is fantastic, so no doubt at some stage in the future he'll be tested in the Super environment.

"That's probably the strength of the program at the moment, in that we've got really good depth in the program. Lachie certainly fits the bill as a player who has developed over the years and is knocking on the door."

The Brumbies already have a raft of key pieces back at club headquarters as they enter the final two-week block of training before a Christmas break.

Tom Banks, Noah Lolesio, Scott Sio, Andy Muirhead and brothers Ryan and Lachie Lonergan are among those in the pre-season group to have spent time in Wallabies camp this year.

Albert hopes it will help the Brumbies hit the ground running in their season opener, initially slated for February 18 against Moana Pasifika pending potential changes due to New Zealand border restrictions.

"They really drive the standards and add that little bit of competitiveness for the boys who are already here," Albert said.

"A lot of academy boys come in, some John I Dent Cup boys come in, so to have the Wallabies boys come in not only for ourselves but also those boys, it always fast-tracks your development being around better players.

"It's been good for myself to learn from [White and Lonergan] but that carrot dangling there of a debut is something that drives me each day. Having seen my roommate Billy Pollard [debut] in the last game last year, there's a bit of friendly banter in the household about when mine is going to come. Hopefully it's soon."

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