Allan Alaalatoa's timely return is set to give the Brumbies a significant boost going into their crucial qualifying clash against the Hurricanes.
After overcoming a calf injury sustained against the Reds, Alaalatoa was close to making the side that faced the Crusaders in Round 16.
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Speaking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, head coach Stephen Larkham revealed the veteran prop has had a strong week of full contact leading into the Hurricanes' clash.
"He rehabbed really well, back to full training last week before we got to the game against the Crusaders and he's had a good week so far this week," Larkham said to reporters.
"I think he's been outstanding with the scrum this year.
"We've certainly seen lifting his game around that, but it's the leadership that he brings to the team - both on and off the field. Very vocal and a great motivator of the boys, he's an outstanding rugby player.
"The leadership qualities that he brings to the team, the confidence that he gives the other players is certainly something that we're going to benefit from this weekend."
The skipper's return marks the only change to the Brumbies side that went down to the Crusaders last week, with Larkham revealing the squad has been hungry to make amends for their mistakes after the loss.
While results in Hamilton and Christchurch will play a part in whether the Canberra side will be locked in for the semi final next week or face a sudden death clash, Larkham has confirmed the side is only focusing on the results they can control.
"We've been pretty firm on making sure that we get a good performance out there on the field, irrespective of the other results," Larkham said.
"The most important thing for us right now is to focus on our preparation so that we can have our best performance this weekend.
"Either way, we're going out there to try and win the game.
"We've spoken about the start of the game against the Crusaders - we scored first and then there was a 20-minute passage there where they were on top of us.
"Second half was a really good performance. We had the opportunity at the end of the game to win it. It really does come down to your decision making at the back end of the game.
"We want to be better finishing games."
While plenty of criticism has come in for referee James Doleman after missing an apparent knock-on, Larkham was quick to dismiss the criticisms.
"I think that the referees have been doing a fantastic job," Larkham admitted.
"The competition has taken a step up and I think the referees have accordingly stepped up as well, it's certainly a challenging environment for referees this year.
"We've got all confidence in the referees.
"We know that there's mistakes that are made from players, from coaches, from referees throughout the game and sometimes you need a little bit of luck with some of those decisions that are 50-50, but most of the time I think the referees are making the right calls."
It was a decision that angered the Canberra faithful - with Larkham admitting that the increase in support from fans in the capital has rubbed off on the players.
"The competition is a lot closer than it has been for a long time," Larkham added.
"Games are going down to the wire. The spectacle is much better.
"We've certainly appreciated the extra support that we've had this year compared to last year. It certainly makes us play better.
"We feel that the atmosphere out there that's created by the fans and supporters gives the players a boost and a lift. It's the general line that if we get more supporters to the game, we get a better atmosphere and the players play better."
The Brumbies will be hoping a solid crowd turns out this weekend. The ACT side has prevailed on two separate occasions at this corresponding fixture during the last few seasons, defeating the Hurricanes in the 2022 and 2023 quarterfinals.
However, the Wellington side finally broke an eight-year drought in the Australian capital earlier this year - but Larkham believes his side are ready to reverse fortunes this weekend.
"They're a physical side," Larkham explained.
"The contests at the breakdown are very similar to the Crusaders. They're entering a lot of rucks defensively, putting a lot of pressure on at the breakdown. They bring a bit of line speed. They've got the leading poacher in the competition.
"They're very good with the ball in hand. They've got the ability to shift the ball quite well.
It's a typical New Zealand side who play heavy on the ball at the breakdown but also have a very good skill set to shift the ball when they need to.
"It's not unlike anything we've seen. We saw that when we played the Hurricanes here on ANZAC Day. We've come across teams that play this way a few times this year.
"Hopefully that's put us in a good position to play well this weekend."
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
