It's been a pretty full-on month already for Queensland recruit Aidan Ross - but things could get a lot busier for the former All Black if Joe Schmidt comes knocking.
Fresh off a Super Rugby final with the Chiefs on Saturday, Ross, 29, was training with the Reds on Tuesday and is available for next Wednesday's clash with the British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium.
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The Reds are set to field a side brimming with a long list of Wallabies hopefuls - including their Kiwi recruit, who becomes eligible for Australia from July 10.
Born in Gosford, Ross moved with his New Zealand parents to Tauranga when he was eight and played his lone All Blacks Test against Ireland on July 9, 2022.
A three-year gap between Tests is World Rugby's requirement before a player can switch allegiances, meaning Ross could conceivably feature in the Wallabies' first Test against the Lions on July 19.
An immediate call-up appears unlikely given Schmidt's preference for cohesion, but with 15 Tests to play this year and injuries inevitable, the Super Rugby centurion could come into contention.
"It'd be awesome," Ross said of joining new Reds teammate Alex Hodgman and becoming the fifth man to play Tests for both Australia and New Zealand.
"I was born here and I've got plans ... to set up a life here with my family post-rugby.
"There's been no chat there (with Schmidt), no comms. I've just been doing my thing and if the opportunity arises then so be it - she'd be a pretty full-on month."
Ross was also quick to volunteer for the upcoming AUNZ Invitational XV fixture - "100 per cent, it'd be fun as" - but said his focus was squarely on cracking the Reds' matchday squad and helping his new club make history.
"The chat's been about first and foremost enjoying the week as we start getting six-seven days out," Ross said.
"We'll start tightening up the screws and trying to build something really special and do a job against (the Lions).
Ross may be a new face at Ballymore but he's no stranger to the Lions arena.
In 2017, he featured in the New Zealand Barbarians' 13-7 loss to the tourists, then fronted up again for the Chiefs in a 34-6 loss two weeks later.
With Zane Nonggorr training in the Wallabies squad and Hodgman (injured) unlikely to play , Ross now finds himself the box seat to make his Queensland debut against the Lions.
"I remember packing down against (former England prop) Joe Marler ... the chat on him, it was outrageous," Ross said.
"With the Baa-Baas, it was just a whole lot of lads getting together and trying to do something pretty awesome. .. we got pretty close. It was an awesome week.
"Hopefully I get another crack at them again next Wednesday."
