Rona said. “I know Lukhan is going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment and he needs all the support he can get not just from the players but the public as well.

“I’ll stand by Lukhan with what’s going on with him and whatever decision he is making to either play footy or have a rest. I understand where he’s coming from.”

The Wallabies, who have won just two of their last nine matches, will depart for South Africa on Saturday ahead of a Test against the Springboks in Port Elizabeth and then a fixture against the Pumas in Salta.

Rona, who has been a part of Wallabies squads this year, said now was the time for Michael Cheika’s men to start producing results.

“I know what those players can do,” Rona said. “As much as they will be hurting, I know they will be getting ready for a massive tour to South Africa and Argentina.

"It was a hard game to watch and hopefully the boys bounce back and hope they get up for the next game.”

A quartet of Wallabies players will return for Wednesday night's blockbuster NRC match at Leichhardt Oval between the Sydney Rays and NSW Country Eagles. The Rays welcome back second-rower Rob Simmons, who was called in as an emergency replacement for Adam Coleman in the Springboks Test in Brisbane.

The Eagles will have Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson and Ned Hanigan in their starting XV as they look to bounce back from a dismal 62-7 loss to the Melbourne Rising.

“We haven’t shown up yet,” said Eagles back-rower Will Miller. “We need to show what we can do on Wednesday and then take that through for the rest of the season to be any chance into finals. At moment we haven’t been good enough.

Rona said there had been friendly banter between NSW players during the week who will lock horns in a mate-versus-mate clash.

“We’ve trained with each other all year and there’s a bit of banter going on in the weights room,” Rona said. “It gets us motivated to play each other and test our skills.”

Sydney Rays (1-15): Matt Sandell, Damien Fitzpatrick, Cam Betham, Rob Simmons, Ryan McCauley, Lachie Swinton, Jack Hayson, Hugh Sinclair, Mitch Short, Will Harrison, Latu Latunipulu, Harry Burey, Curtis Rona, Rob Buaserau, Tyson Davis.

Bench: JP Sauni, Rory O'Connor, Shambeckler Vui, Nick Palmer, Connor Vest, Nick Duffy, Enoka Muliufi, Tim Clements.

NSW Country Eagles (1-15): Tom Robertson, Tolu Latu, Paddy Ryan, Sam Thomson, Emmanuel Meafou, Ned Hanigan, Will Miller, Sam Figg, Jake Gordon, Mack Mason, Alex Gibbon, William McDonnell, Apolosi Latunipulu, Jaline Graham, Alex Newsome.

Bench: Mahe Vailanu, Matt Gibbon, Chris Talakai, Sam Ward, Nick Champion DeCrespigny, Mick Snowden, Rohan Saifoloi, Seb Wileman.