Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White believes the latest shift in the draw has set the platform for the club to make an early charge during Super Rugby Pacific.
The Brumbies were originally slated to travel to Perth to kick-off their season, however, border issues will see them host the Western Force on Sunday February 20.
It ensures the 2020 Super Rugby AU champions will play four of their first five games at home, including the opening three at GIO Stadium.
The switch in home games with the Force is also a major boost for fans, ensuring the first fortnight of Rugby in the nation's capital will be played in family-friendly timeslots.
With this in mind, White suggests the conditions will allow the Brumbies to explore a more expansive game style, something which has been a key focus of this pre-season.
“Three games at home in front of our crowd, a good chance to go three wins on the trot, get the runs on the board and put ourselves up quite high on the table. We’re a little bit lucky, but we will take that, that draw set us up well," he told reporters.
“…You will see a different style, there will be more running rugby. The skills will be out on show.
"It’s good for us and the fans, three home games, two in the afternoon, we’ll have that home crowd advantage and hopefully there’s a real opportunity to hit the ground running.”
The Brumbies will dust off their trial defeat to the Waratahs in Bowral with an intra-club trial on February 4.
Whilst the result didn't go their way, the Wallabies half is adamant they can take plenty of positives out of the showing in torrential conditions.
“We still got a lot out of it, the guys worked really hard,” he said. "There was a number of guys who wore the Brumbies jersey for the first time, which was special.
“There are guys that have been working hard in pre-season for a number of months now to get that crack and we will review that.”
Following the match, the squad took the unique approach of heading out to Berry, getting a first-hand experience of milking cows and riding horses on club cult-hero Will Miller's farm.
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Whilst thankfully there was no broken arms ala Robbie Kearns, the experience was a useful bonding moment for a squad looking to take the next step in 2022.
"It's a camp all about connection and getting to know each other," White added.
"...It's been a great weekend, not so much rugby content but just good fun spending time with each other creating those connections and relationships which is what we pride ourselves on the culture of the club.
"We're the family club, and that sort of stuff needs to be nurtured."
