Canberra's Xavier Savage will have another chance to impress coach Ricky Stuart after first-string fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was ruled out of the Raiders' trial match against the Sea Eagles.
Savage scored a try in the Raiders' trial victory over the Sea Eagles last week and has caught the eye with his blistering speed and ability to beat defenders.
As it stands, Nicoll-Klokstad still has a firm grasp on the fullback jersey and is expected to hold his place for the season opener against the Sharks.
While Savage's blistering pace and confidence with ball in hand has the Raiders faithful salivating over his potential, the club is expected to play the long game with the 19-year-old Queenslander. If he does play in Round 1, it's more likely to be on the wing, given Jordan Rapana's suspension.
There's no ill will whatsoever between Nicoll-Klokstad and Savage, with the former embracing the competition from the young gun.
"He's a bright young kid, he's got a lot of talent, a lot of speed, and speed is something you can't teach. He's got something straight away that I don't have so I have to go to my strengths and that's my running game and how I organise the defence," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"It's good to have competition, it's healthy, as Sticky says and I'm relishing the opportunity to fight it out for that spot and come Round 1 we'll see what the team is.
"He'd have to play pretty well to get me out of there. I'm training really hard to make sure I'm putting my hand up for Round 1 fullback.
"Fullback is my position and I'll be training as hard as I can to make sure that's the case come Round 1."
Savage scored a try against the Roosters and recorded two line breaks. His talent is rare and undeniable, but there are still some rough edges in his game.
As coach Ricky Stuart pointed out after the match, Savage has just two NRL pre-seasons under his belt. He is far from the player he will eventually become, while Nicoll-Klokstad has been one of the club's best and most consistent performers since arriving in 2019.
A run of injuries, as well as the pre-match withdrawal of Sam Williams and Matt Frawley due to COVID restrictions, forced Nicoll-Klokstad to play mainly halfback and hooker against the Roosters.
The Raiders missed Nicoll-Klokstad badly when he was sidelined with a neck injury through much of last season with Savage, Bailey Simonsson, Caleb Aekins and Jordan Rapana all spending time at the back.
"I think last year was one of the best starts to a season I've ever had but it got cut short with my neck injury. But in that game I felt exactly how I did at the start of last year, I'm enjoying my footy and it's just about making sure my footy is top priority," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
Regardless, Savage has no shortage of admirers in the nation's capital with captain Jarrod Croker praising the youngster's work ethic over the summer.
"He's filled out a bit, he's a bit bigger and his legs aren't sticks anymore. He's got a lot to learn, but he's got raw speed and talent and he wants the ball in his hands, that's all you can ask," Croker said.
"He's a confident kid, and that comes off the back of a good pre-season. He had a shoulder injury and came back a bit more beefed up but he's still lightning quick, and he's got a lot to learn in the game, as every 19-year old does, but if he keeps working hard he's going to be a special talent."
The Raiders are expected to play several of their biggest names, including Jack Wighton, Josh Papalii, Josh Hodgson and the returning Nick Cotric, against Manly.
