Robbie Deans has revealed his left-field selection of Peter Hynes in his first Wallabies Test side this year was little more than a gut feeling, a bold show of faith in an untapped talent looking for a break.

Five months on and Hynes has proven to be one of the great finds in world rugby.

Along with star five-eighth Matt Giteau, Hynes was the only player to start in all 10 Tests for the Wallabies in 2008 before being rested from last week's clash with Italy to freshen up for England on Saturday.

When the unsung winger was handed his Test debut against Ireland in June, it was widely believed Deans had plucked Hynes from the under-achieving Queensland Reds for his blinding pace.

Deans now says that was not the case.

"A lot of it's instinct," Deans told AAP.

"I mean, he's got all the requirements physically and I saw a mentality in a bloke who looked like he was keen for an opportunity.

"He's been part of a (Super 14) franchise that hasn't given him a lot of opportunities, but you just see glimpses along the way and you're hopeful that they can convert it.

"And he did that right from day one."

Indeed, the late-blooming Hynes made a spectacular start to his international career, winning the players' player award on his Test debut and then being named man of the match in his second Test against France the following week.

"He's been great. He's just stepped up with every opportunity really," Deans said.

"He has been pretty steady to that end. Normally players in their first stretch of experience have fluctuations.

"Whether it be through being overawed or whatever, just learning to work with people around them.

"So Hynesy for an outside back has been very stable."

And strong to boot, Deans lauding the 26-year-old as being like an extra loose forward at times.

"He enjoys the physicality, which is an important component at Test level because you can't get away from that," Deans said.

"There are no easy routes, so to speak. As an outside back, you can't wait out there and wait for everyone to do the work for you and expect to get a free channel. It just doesn't happen.

"You've got to be prepared to work and work for others as well as learning the art of working off others.

"Hynesy has a willingness to get involved. That's evidenced by the turnover balls that he gets, where he actually puts himself in and is effective in the contact in what historically be a loose forward role."

Stunningly, Hynes's modest goal at the start of the year was "to get through pre-season injury-free and play Super 14 for the Reds".

"As you get closer to Test squad selection, you're sort of hoping. Obviously there's talk in the papers and you sort of hope for it in the back of your mind.

"But, at the same time, I didn't really get too carried away with it.

"Fortunately, I made it and it's been one of those amazing years you hear about in sport for me.

"I guess I wasn't really a huge chance at the start of the year and here I am now, 11 Tests later, and I'm playing England at Twickenham.

"This is one of those games I think I'll always remember - England at Twickenham, it doesn't get too much better."

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