A wedding, honeymoon and maiden Sydney to Hobart voyage on board the “people’s boat” Brindabella were all part of the 29-year-old’s program during the last few months.

But now footy is back dominating life for the NSW Waratahs prop and after a quick trip across the Tasman for a training camp the squad is prepared for Saturday night’s opener against the Queensland Reds at Allianz Stadium.

“There has been a lot going on, but now it’s back into footy and it’s all hands on deck,” Tilse said. 

“Everyone has been training pretty well and we just enjoyed a camp in New Zealand for three days hiking, mountain biking and white water rafting. It was a lot of fun, but now we finally get to play and everyone is looking forward to that.”

Tilse, who has 52 provincial caps to his name since debuting in 2006, has been named on the bench by head coach Daryl Gibson with his Sydney to Hobart crewmate Paddy Ryan and new Waratah Angus Ta’avao starting in the front-row with Tatafu Polota-Nau at hooker.

He was once again in contention for the first XV but Tilse said he would continue to push for either the No.1 or No.3 jersey in 2016.

“It’s definitely my personal goal,” he said.

Kurtley Beale comes in at fly-half for the injured Wallabies five-eighth Bernard Foley.