The former Orange City player had been part of the Queensland Reds academy this past season, but when fellow Super Rugby club Western Force came calling, it was an offer too good to turn down.

"In Queensland with the academy it was full-time in the pre-season but only part-time during the season," he said.

"Over here, the academy we have the eight of us, but we train full-time all year round. Because we're younger we probably don't class it as the top squad and I probably won't play a game this year, but it's pretty cool to be around some big names like Richie Kahui and Jeremy Thrush.

"They've all played for the All Blacks and a few of the bigger names like that. We're learning off them as well and they're a bit of a coach to the younger boys."

As well as his play with club side Souths up north, Romano credits his time in the Junior Wallabies camp as a big reason the Force showed interest.

"We only officially started pre-season at the start of the month but I've been here for the last month and a bit because I had to quarantine," he said.

"So I've been going into HQ and been doing my own gym and that kind of stuff. Then last week was pretty hard, but nothing too unexpected. Moving into the next couple weeks is going to be pretty hectic."

Unfortunately, that time with the Junior Wallabies came to an end sooner than anticipated, as COVID put an end to the camp.

Now with the Force, the prop will look to learn off those who know what it takes to wear the green and gold.

"I think they just want me to learn off Greg Holmes - who is with the Wallabies at the moment," Romano said.

"Just lining me up to learn a lot of those scrum 'dark arts' that they call it. I'm hoping to get a good base platform to work off.

"It feels insane. Coming from Brisbane, everyone wanted to be full time training with the top squad, but now I've got the opportunity so I've got to put my head down and work. It's a dream come true really and I've got to work hard to take the next step."

Other tier one academy players for the Western Force include prop Siosifa Amone, full-back George Poolman, wingers Rupeni Mataele and Jorden Williams, back-rower Ned-Slack Smith, Alex Masibaka and second-rowers Luke Callan and Connor Seve.

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