Forgotten Wallabies back-rower Stephen Hoiles says the side's new-found success under master-coach Robbie Deans has made his omission from the current squad all the more painful.
Hoiles, who was a mainstay of the Wallabies set-up under coach John Connolly, playing in all 12 of the Wallabies' 2007 fixtures, was the first big-name casualty of the Deans era when the 30-man Tri Nations squad was announced in July.
"It's disappointing," Hoiles said of his non selection. "I got (to start) that Test against France (in Brisbane) this year and then was left out of the Tri Nations squad."
"In all honesty it's been great seeing Australian rugby turn around just on the back of the Wallabies success, (under) a new exciting coach."
"It's an exciting time so that probably makes it a little bit more frustrating to watch but look hopefully there's still an opportunity for me some time soon."
"I've just got to keep playing well and not really think about that, just play well for Randwick and hopefully, it's an old cliche, but the rest will take care of itself."
Asked if the Wallabies hierarchy had explained their decision not to include him in their Tri Nations plans, the skilful No.8 explained: "I think they just wanted a bit more of an all-round work rate, they were happy with a fair few aspects of my game but the feeling I got without hearing direct words was just to have more involvement."
Hoiles, who will feature for his Sydney club Randwick in the upcoming club rugby finals series, remains philosophical about his selection hopes for Wallabies' end of season tour which includes an historic Bledisloe Cup clash in Hong Kong on November 1.
"That'd be great to get selected but if not I see benefit in the pre-season in Canberra (with the Brumbies) as well," the 26-year-old said.
"Either way I'd love to get back in, don't get me wrong, I'm desperate to play again for the Wallabies, but that sort of stuff is out of my control so hopefully I can finish the year really well with Randwick and win the Shute Shield, and if I get on the end of year tour it'd be great."
Meanwhile, Hoiles is confident his former team-mates can re-group after their record loss to the Springboks in time for their Tri Nations decider with the All Blacks later this month.
"They probably just didn't have the intensity they had the week before and they paid the ultimate price which is a shellacking over in South Africa, which can happen by the way, it's a tough place to play and it's an extremely tough place to win," Hoiles said.
"It's disappointing but I'm sure they'll bounce back and you'll see a completely different side for the All Blacks game in Brisbane (on September 13)."