ANTHONY Fainga'a can probably communicate telepathically with twin brother Saia, but his link with Quade Cooper may seal his first Test cap.
Fainga'a was one of four newcomers to the Wallabies' Tri-Nations squad named on Thursday, joining Saia, who played in the recent Tests against Fiji, England and Ireland.
As Cooper's partner in the Queensland inside backs, Fainga'a has mastered the art of playing outside Australian rugby's most unpredictable playmaker.
It is something more experienced inside centres such as Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes have not always managed to do.
"I've played two years with Quade," Fainga'a said. "Everyone finds it hard to play with Quady.
"I think he is one of the best No 10s going around in the world. I think he is the best No 10 in the world to be honest.
"I love playing outside him. He opens a lot of space for me. I make him direct and it has worked really well for us.
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"You have to be instinctive like he is. That's the way he plays. If he sees space or a hole, he'll take it.
"A lot of players keep playing the plan. Robbie (Deans) is big on what you see in front of you is the go."
Deans may remain loyal to Giteau -- who hails from the same town of Queanbeyan as the Faingaas -- for the Wallabies' opening Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in Brisbane on July 24.
But if the Cooper/Giteau combination does not gel, Deans may well consider starting Fainga'a at inside centre against the All Blacks in Melbourne the following week.
The highly physical Fainga'a would offer the Wallabies directness in attack and solidity in defence.
"I'm not here to make up the numbers," Fainga'a said. "I'm here to play. Especially playing against teams like South Africa, which play pretty physically, we will need to play direct. I could play a role in that.
"It's up to Robbie what he wants. I'll do my best to get in the team.
"There is Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes as well. I'm not worried about outside factors. I'm just worried about getting myself right and if Robbie picks me, I'm ready to go."
While Fainga'a would improve the Wallabies' directness at inside centre, they would lose a tactical kicking option without Giteau or Barnes at No 12.
"You are never perfect," Fainga'a said. "For me it's just chipping away at my strengths and just keep working on everything I need to work on.
"Quade can kick. If I need to kick, I can kick. In our game plan we hold onto possession. We don't give ball away."
As much as Fainga'a would love to play alongside Cooper in a Test, his big dream is still to play international rugby with Saia, who will most likely come off the bench against the Springboks following the return from injury of Stephen Moore.
His twin was the first person Fainga'a contacted after Deans told him he had been selected in the squad.
"He (Deans) told me I was in the team and I was over the moon. I rang Saia back and told him I had been selected. He was yahooing."
Meanwhile, former Test fullback Cameron Shepherd will attend Wallabies training in Sydney on Monday in a strong indication he will be called up to the squad.
With Digby Ioane (dislocated shoulder) unavailable for the Springboks Test and Peter Hynes (knee) in doubt, Deans has left two spots open in the 30-man squad.
Shepherd, who has rejected an offer from Melbourne Rebels to re-sign with Western Force, would cover both fullback and wing.
After playing against Ireland in 2008 in Deans' first Test in charge of the Wallabies, Shepherd has been frustrated by a series of injuries.
But a fully fit Shepherd could provide the Wallabies with both size and skill in the outside backs.
