Their paths first crossed 10 years ago as young tackers when playing against each other in the under 16 national championships.
But for backrower David Pocock and five-eighth Kurtley Beale it was for the better, as they impressed to earn selection in the 2005 Australian Schoolboys side.
Fast forward to now, and it is fitting that the pair are poised to set off on Saturday bound by their shared ambition as Wallabies teammates for their second World Cup, after announcing their commitment to remain in Australian rugby on the same day.
While both players were born with rugby brilliance, their journeys towards selection for the World Cup that starts on September 18 in England have contrasted vastly.
Pocock, 27, has lived through a career in which his stance on social issues and going public on them has been as strong as his position over the ball.
Yet Pocock's career that includes having captained Australia, is also one marred with two years on the sidelines due to injuries which, until his return this year, left some wondering if his rugby days were over.
Whereas, Beale, 26, has played through a career cluttered with disciplinary issues that often stalled his development, yet has shone with moments of wizardry with ball in hand and footwork to promise so much.
Although, under Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, there is belief among Beale's supporters that he has has found his way and ready to produce his best.
But on the eve of the Wallabies' departure for the US to play a one-off Test against the US Eagles in Chicago on September 5 before heading to England for the World Cup, it was not lost on both players how they were joined by that union in 2005 after they resigned with the Australian Rugby Union and their Super Rugby sides – Pocock with the Brumbies for one more year and Beale with the Waratahs for two years.
"To have our contracts announced on the same day, [after] having played schoolboys years and years alongside Kurtley … it's exciting," said Pocock, who has 50 Test caps, after Wallabies training at Little Manly Beach on Friday – their last session before leaving for the US.
"That definitely adds to the bonds you have and the enjoyment on and off the field."
The same went for Beale who recalled his first encounter with Pocock. It was at the 2005 Under 16s schoolboys' titles when the former St Joseph's College student played for NSW against a Queensland side that included Pocock who was then a student at the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane.
The outcome not only brought Pocock and Beale together as teammates on the Australian schoolboys side, but two other Wallabies World Cup squad members – Queenslanders Quade Cooper and Will Genia.
"He was openside [flanker]. And Queensland had a big backrow," Beale said smiling of that first sighting of Pocock. "We're still good mates, have a lot of good memories."
Beale is not surprised that he, Pocock, Genia and Cooper graduated into World Cup Wallabies, as did Rob Horne, Ben McCalman and Rob Simmons who were in the 2006 Schoolboys with Beale and Cooper.
"I always knew there was a lot of talent there and if everyone stayed tight, improved and got better we could achieve some good things," said Beale, who has 52 Test caps.
"That's definitely something that has helped me stay in the game in Australia.
"It's been a long time, but it's great to see a lot of guys come through and push each other, to bring the best out of each other and to be able to play with each and other."
Pocock said his reason to sign for only one more year was because "I just wanted to 100 per cent commit for the year and reassess after. I just didn't want to sign a deal that I wasn't sure that I could commit absolutely everything [to] in that second year."
He did not dismiss the possibility of playing overseas, saying: "It might be something I will look at down the track. I don't really have any definite plans for 2017 … "
But with time and opportunity to play for Australia and the Brumbies lost through his injuries, he wants to achieve more in Australian rugby.
"Sitting and watching for a couple of years, you realise how good the opportunity is to represent Australia and I have enjoyed that over the last six weeks," Pocock said.
"That is certainly a massive part of [the reason for] re-signing for next year."
