His heart bleeds the Wallabies gold, but Carlo Tizzano's budgie smugglers will be the colours of Gli Azzurri when the Western Force star lines up against Italy in Perth on Saturday night.
In a selection surprise, Tizzano has been thrust into the starting line-up at HBF Park in place of in-form flanker Fraser McReight for coach Joe Schmidt's final game in charge.
McReight's stranglehold on the No.7 jersey was further tightened last week when he scored two first-half tries in the 42-26 loss to France.
But the battering McReight copped means the 27-year-old will be eased in off the bench this week, opening the door for Tizzano to play his first Test of the year in front of family and friends.
Tizzano's dad is Italian, and the Italian Rugby Federation came sniffing around more than once in a bid to convince Carlo to play for them.
The 26-year-old is glad he stuck true to his dream of playing for Australia, but the Wallabies gold doesn't stop him from recognising his family roots on game day.
"It's a really special game, and I wear my Italian budgies because that's where my family are from," Tizzano said on Thursday.
"I always wear them - creature of habit.
"But being born here, representing Australia is an honour, and really excited to do it this weekend."
Tizzano's younger brother Cristiano is a scrumhalf who is currently part of the Italy A set-up.
Cristiano made his debut for Italian club Benetton in May, and if all goes to plan he could line up against Carlo for Italy's national side one day.
"That'll be cool. He's a halfback, so I'll be throwing some chatter that's for sure," Carlo said.
"He's going really well, but the Italian side is a tough team to crack. There are some really talented rugby players in that squad.
"His time will come. He's just got to keep chipping away. He's had a really unique journey playing (Australian rules football) until he was 18, and then moving over to rugby."
Although Tizzano has been stuck on 14 Tests for some time, he's enjoyed the selection battle with McReight.
"Me and Fraser have been competing with each other since we were 18, 19, and it's awesome," Tizzano said.
"To have someone who's breathing down your neck and vice-versa is a really cool opportunity and it's a good place to be in.
"Fraser plays some bloody good footy. You rarely ever see him have a performance under seven or eight out of 10.
"So to try and hold that jersey when you've got a guy doing that every single week is a tough gig."
.png?w=600)
