IT was injury that saw Queanbeyan's Robbie Coleman lose his ACT Brumbies starting spot in 2013.
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But 12 months on and it's injury, albeit this time to Wallaby winger Joe Tomane, that has opened the door for Coleman to cement his role in the Brumbies starting XV this season.
After being overlooked in favour of Jesse Mogg for the Brumbies fullback role in round one, Coleman has been in electric form over the past fortnight since replacing an injured Tomane on the wing.
Coleman has scored in each of his past two appearances for the side and has held his spot for the Brumbies derby against the NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium this weekend.
With Tomane to return from his ankle injury in the coming weeks however, Coleman is set to find himself once again in the selection spotlight.
"Joe's obviously a world class player and when he's back ready to go it's going to come down to the coaches' decision as to who fills that spot," Coleman said.
"Unfortunately someone will have to miss out. But all I can do is focus on playing my best football and trying to put myself in the position where the coaches have to pick me."
Coleman has played primarily at flyhalf, inside centre or fullback throughout his career.
He was the Brumbies first choice custodian to start 2013 before a groin injury opened the door for Mogg to make the position his own.
Since returning from injury, the 23-year-old has been relegated primarily to the interchange bench but has made the most of his recent return to the starting line-up.
"I've always like to pride myself of having that utility value and to be able to handle any position in the backline," Coleman said.
"I feel like I can use my strengths and my pace out on the wing and the coaches feel that way too.
"I think I'm learning and getting better in the role every week but this week is definitely going to be the biggest test of the three games so far."
The Waratahs have been the form team during the opening rounds of the Super Rugby season having posted big wins over rival Australian sides the Western Force and the Queensland Reds.
The Brumbies, however, will take plenty of confidence of their own into Saturday's clash off the back of a bonus point victory against the Hurricanes in Wellington last start.
"Any time you go over to New Zealand and get five points is a big achievement," Coleman said of the Brumbies recent form.
"We're fine with all the attention being on them [the Waratahs]," he added. "They seem to like it. But they are the benchmark team in the competition at the moment so it's a great opportunity for us to see where we're at."