The Brumbies have singled out the next six weeks as their opportunity to cement a Super Rugby finals spot as they prepare to return at full tilt against the Sunwolves.
After losing just once in the opening month, the Brumbies have built a strong foundation for another finals campaign but want to ensure they do not lose momentum over the next six weeks heading into their second bye.
Alaalatoa said last week's break came at the perfect time for his team, who have faced a raft of challenges, including bushfires, mumps and the rescheduling of a match due to the coronavirus in the first third of the season.
"We needed that time to get away and refresh and set some new goals," Alaalatoa said.
"I think that was the most important part of that break, to have new goals in place and make sure that we start again against the Sunwolves tomorrow."
While the Japanese side has lost their past two games - to the Reds and Hurricanes - heavily, Alaalatoa said the Brumbies were ready for "anything" against the mercurial Sunwolves who have nothing to lose in their final season in the competition.
"They're a side that have so much speak in their backline and are always physical in their forward pack," he said.
"We know we have to do a job there to get some go-forward and we just expect anything from their backline."
The bye week ensured there was no let-down following the Brumbies' drought-breaking win against the chiefs in New Zealand and he said the team was ready to resume their campaign at the same level against the Sunwolves in a period that could set up their season.
"It's going to be a tough six games and the way we start against the Sunwolves is going to be huge to see where we're at," he said.
"Tomorrow is going to be important from how we set ourselves up."
Alaalatoa said he was proud of the resilience his team had showed so far in a tumultous season that led to the Brumbies shifting part of their pre-season to Newcastle, before coping with the mumps outbreak and then the rescheduling of tomorrow's Sunwolves fixture due to cornoavirus fears in Japan.
"We've overcome some battles as a team and that's just a testament to how the boys are and how tight we are as a group," he said.
"I think first and foremost (we've got) to make sure that we put all the distractions aside and just make sure we do everythigng we can to get the result."
The Brumbies are aware their latest hurdle - the shifting of the Sunwolves clash from Tokyo to Wollongong - has ended in their favour and are determined to make the most of circumstances.
"We've spoken a lot about being resilient - and you listen to yourself saying that nearly every week through all the challenges in the beginning - and this week was one of those times to adapt again with the schedule change and we really can't complain with the game coming to Wollongong," he said.
"We're just looking forward to the opportunity to get out there in front of hopefully, some good numbers in the afternoon on a Friday.
"It's kind of worked out well for us. We were just very lucky that we could have a full week of prep and it's just a short bus trip down to the game tomorrow."
The Brumbies take on the Sunwolves at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on Friday, March 6, kicking off at 2:45pm AEDT and broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
