Not a whole lot seems to faze Brumbies inside back Jordan Jackson-Hope.

Despite scoring a try on debut with his first touch in Super Rugby last year, the laid back 20-year old doesn’t seem eager to reminisce on the past.

“I really didn’t expect the Super Rugby stuff to come this quick but I’m trying my best to focus on what’s to come. I’ve got a new set of goals that I want to accomplish, so I don’t want to think too much about 2016 now,” he told Rugby News at the annual RUPA camp for Super Rugby rookies.

“It came out of the blue to be honest. I was with the under 20s at the time and had a dodgy AC (joint), then I got called back to train with the Brumbies and a few guys got injured and I got to debut from the bench.

“It was a pretty special moment to play a Super Rugby game in a Brumbies jersey but I just tried to take the opportunity with both hands.”

Jackson-Hope finished the 2016 season with two Super Rugby caps, both from the bench, but could see a lot more game time in 2017 with the Brumbies No.10 and No.12 jerseys both vacant ahead of the Super Rugby season.

The Brumbies have recruited Wallaby Kyle Godwin, Anthony Fainga’a and New Zealander Wharenui Hawera to fill their midfield void but Jackson-Hope said he was still hopeful of earning game time at either flyhalf or inside centre.

“I’m just working as hard as I can on the skills needed to play 10 or 12 and if the opportunity comes, I’ll definitely take it,” he said.

“It’s hard to predict what is going to happen because there are a few new guys coming to the Brumbies and a lot of good young inside backs in Canberra. Most of us young guys haven’t proven ourselves at the next level yet. All I can do is work on my game as much as possible and make sure I’m healthy and fit.”

Now in his third year in the Brumbies system, the former St Edmund’s playmaker has had an ideal apprenticeship under Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano and coach Stephen Larkham, who have all watched Jackson-Hope grow from a quiet and shy teenager into a confident young man.

“I’m becoming a lot more confident around the older guys but it has definitely taken some time. After making my debut, I started to feel like I deserved to be there and that helped me be more assertive on the paddock and hopefully it keeps improving.

“When we are on the training field, everyone in the squad understands that they have to meet the high standards that are expected of them. It doesn’t matter if you are a 60-cap Wallaby or a rookie, you’re expected to perform and that was massive for me and I think it gave me confidence to assert myself a lot more on the field.”

As a youngster in Canberra, Jackson-Hope admitted to idolising Larkham in his earlier years and said it was surreal to now be playing under him at the Brumbies.

“In the past, I’ve mostly had head coaches who were forwards, so to have a back as head coach and someone who was as good as he was is great. He encourages us to back our skills and be confident in our ability and that’s how I like to play so I’m really enjoying at the moment,” he said.

“The way he breaks the game down into specific skills is quite eye opening.

“He rides me pretty hard about my passing, he wants me to really rip the ball when I pass and that’s something I work a lot on along with communicating on the field but I feel I’m becoming more confortable with that part of my game.”

Jackson-Hope is the youngest of an exciting crop of Australian No.12’s looking to have an impact at Super Rugby level in 2017 with the likes of Godwin (24), Reece Hodge (22), Dave Horwitz (22), Irae Simone (21) and Henry Taefu (23) all looking to cement a spot in their respective Super Rugby sides.

“They’re all really talented players and they’ve all got a bit more size than me so I think I need to focus on my strengths and make the most of the opportunities I get. I don’t want to try and replicate what they are doing because I’m not a bigger body, I’d rather focus on my point of difference,” he said.

“My body is a bit of a work in progress but I’m spending a lot of time in the gym. I’ve put on a few kilos over the off season but the big thing for me is I don’t want to focus solely on getting bigger and then lose some of my speed, so it’s a bit of a balancing act.”

Without a hint of arrogance, Jackson-Hope’s determination and drive is clearly evident when asked if a Wallabies jersey was the ultimate goal down the track.

“Definitely mate. I’ve got a set of goals in my mind that I’m hopefully working towards. That’s why I don’t want to dwell too much on 2016, I want to keep looking ahead to try and improve my game.

“I’ve got a great mentor in Christian Lealiifano. Despite what he is going through, he’s still in regular contact and he’s always willing to help, so it’s up to me to put the work in and try and make it happen.”

But for now, Jackson-Hope is focussed on the year ahead and adding to his two Super Rugby caps.

“I’m confident that I can play Super Rugby this year. Whether or not the coaches think so, I’m not sure, but I back my own ability.

“If I’m not playing Super Rugby, then I’m happy to go back to club rugby and play as much as possible, that’s the best way to improve. For me, it’s about training hard and then when I play, whether it’s Super Rugby or club rugby, I need to put my best foot forward.”

The Brumbies begin their pre-season trials with a match against the Australian Barbarians in Canberra on January 28, before facing the Waratahs in Mudgee a week later.