Wallabies lock Sam Carter has swapped family farm chores for the chance to chase a World Cup dream, vowing to increase his physicality to fit into Michael Cheika's game plan.
Carter spent last spring helping dad David, a former Wallaby, harvest wheat and canola on the 2800-hectare family property at Quirindi while Australia toured Europe.
But the unfashionable 200 centimetre lock who's in Europe for the first time has forced his way into World Cup calculations as he keeps a former Wallabies captain and 140 kilogram giant biding their time on the bench.
"Playing at a World Cup definitely wasn't on my radar last year," Carter said. "Before [ACT Brumbies] pre-season training started I was at home helping out on the farm for a month.
"But at the start of this year I really wanted to get a Wallabies cap and be a part of the squad. I didn't really think I'd be where I am at the moment though."
Carter is fighting to keep his place as a starting lock with James Horwill coming back from a knee injury and monster Will Skelton building his Test fitness.
Horwill has the experience of being the Wallabies captain, while Skelton has the size to bash any forward in international rugby.
Carter is trying to increase his physical presence as the Wallabies build their game on hitting hard and making a mark.
And for inspiration, the 25-year-old needs to look no further than his father.
David Carter was known for his hard-as-nails style, played five Tests for Australia in 1988 and 1989 and was on the field in an era of eye gouging and ruck stomping.
These days Sam has been tagged with the nickname "SOD" or "Son of David" because fans and media often draw comparisons to his dad.
The pair played together in a charity match in Newcastle four years ago and now Carter jnr is trying to channel his dad's aggression to take his game to a new level.
There has never been a knock on Carter's work rate and grunt, but adding physicality is the next challenge.
"I never got to see him play [for the Wallabies] but he was my junior coach for a while," Carter jnr said.
"He hasn't been getting into me personally. The coaches and the players want to become more physical as a team, so we've put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be more combative around the ruck.
"I've been working on it and doing a lot of technique stuff with [defence coach Nathan Grey] and it is a focus of mine to become more physical to create a bigger presence on the field."
The Wallabies will play England at Twickenham at the weekend and need a win to start building momentum into the World Cup next year.
The Wallabies spring tour is a chance for players to stake their claim for World Cup selection, but it's also given Carter a chance to travel to Europe for the first time.
The only game Carter missed on the five-game tour was the Test against France after he was concussed against Wales.
Skelton is developing as a Test wrecking ball and his game time will be increased over time in the Super Rugby season for the NSW Waratahs and when the Wallabies resume next year.
Horwill continues to impress from the bench but must overcome a knee injury to be available for the Test against England.
"Every week is another test to see if you can stay in the team," Carter said.
"It's never easy with those two blokes banging on the door. I'm just hoping I can develop my game to a point where I can keep them out and stamp my position.
"There's always the fear you won't get back in [if you miss a game], that's why you want to be out there as much as possible."
