For many years, Cameron Munster has been the walk-up starter in the Kangaroos' number six jumper.
It really hasn't been close.
If the Melbourne Storm star has been fit, then he would be picked for every representative team he could play for.
But in 2026, the narrative has shifted, and there is a strong field of contenders putting the pressure on Kevin Walters at the selection table.
The upcoming NRL finals series could well shape the selection for the tournament, with a couple of the options having a chance to push their case.
Here is the selection state of play ahead of the World Cup that starts on October 15 for Australia in the all-important five-eighth role.
Incumbent: Cameron Munster
Munster, who now has contract noise hovering over his head as well after admitting he will test the open market from November 1 in recent days, has had a difficult season at the Melbourne.
That decision to test the open market came about with the club reportedly only offering him about $750,000 per year on his next deal beyond the end of 2027.
Part of that is down to Melbourne's salary cap, but part of it is down to Munster's form as he approaches the back end of his career.
Missing the finals won't help his cause, or his match fitness, but the raw numbers are a little alarming. Munster only had 11 try assists and 4 of his own across 19 games, forced 5 drop outs and ran for 92 metres per contest.
The try involvement number is the lowest of his career where a full season has been played and his run metres also is at its lowest level.
They aren't disastrous status, but his drop off has been evident as part of a Storm team who have had their worst season in more than 20 years.
Big challenger: Ethan Strange
The obvious contender is Ethan Strange.
His Canberra Raiders side might not be finals bound, but Strange took to representative footy like a duck to water when he was tasked with replacing Mitchell Moses at State of Origin level on just 48 hours notice earlier this year.
Most good things at the Raiders have been a direct result of his performances, and he has clearly been the key man in the nation's capital.
Whether that's enough to win him a starting green and gold jersey at this stage of his career remains to be seen, but given his ability to play in the centres as well, he could well be a bench utility at worst.
Other options: Tom Dearden, Ezra Mam, Braydon Trindall
The Kangaroos do have other options in the number six, although they may be a distance behind the two we have already talked about.
Tom Dearden would likely have put significant pressure on had he been fit all year, but injury issues have really cut in to his season. He does, regardless of selection for this tournament, have a long representative career ahead of him.
Ezra Mam has fallen well down the pecking order, but was still in Queensland's squad for Game 1 this year, and Kevin Walters is a fan.
Braydon Trindall is maybe the most intriguing option.
The Sharks have really fallen to bits while he has been out with a shoulder injury, and while it's unclear at this stage whether he will need off-season surgery, any chance of a Kangaroos jersey could see him look to rehab the injury rather than go under the knife.
He has a staggering 30 try assists this season, and a big finals campaign would certainly push his chances along.
Verdict: Cameron Munster
It's hard to see Munster not being picked by Kevin Walters. The Queensland representative has the runs on the board, and the experience to be the walk-up starter, even given his form drop off this year.
Ethan Strange and Tom Dearden will almost certainly be in the squad though, so it's pressure on to keep his spot.
Trindall is an intriguing option, but these days he is playing half rather than five-eighth. For that reason, I would prefer Ethan Stange.