Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham will use Christian Lealiifano as a weapon from the bench when he makes an emotional comeback in Friday's Super Rugby quarter- final against the Hurricanes.
Christian Lealiifano playing for the ACT Brumbies. Photo: Photosport
The star playmaker is set to make his return 11 months after being diagnosed with leukaemia.
The 19-Test Wallaby had chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant late last year before entering remission in February.
Larkham said he had been optimistic about Lealiifano's chances of returning.
"I've seen him go through some really difficult times," Larkham said.
"I've seen him push himself beyond breaking at times to get right for this.
"It was an emotional journey but now there's good focus on the team.
"It's a great story for Christian and certainly fitting for him to come back in front of his home crowd."
Larkham said he considered starting Lealiifano against the Hurricanes, but decided to stick with Wharenui Hawera at flyhalf and Tevita Kuridrani and Andrew Smith in the centres.
"The guys who are starting have been in pretty good form," he said.
"There's no real need to get Christian on the field but I think he'll give a nice energy boost to the boys when he does come on."
The 29-year-old was set to return for the Brumbies' first Super Rugby game after the June Test break against the Queensland Reds, but a minor hamstring niggle ruled him out.
He trained strongly on Monday, proving his fitness for the sudden-death at GIO Stadium.
"He's been training for the last three months and he's been outstanding," Larkham said.
Lealiifano's fellow co-captain Sam Carter will also return to the line up with the Brumbies bringing back a host of stars who were rested in last week's loss to the Chiefs.
Wallabies props Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa are back in the XV, along with outside centre Kuridrani and halfback Joe Powell.
Towering lock Rory Arnold (shoulder) and backrower Chris Alcock (leg) have recovered from injuries and will start.
Jordan Smiler is set to start at No. 8 while veteran hooker Josh Mann-Rea also reclaims his spot in the run-on team.
With Aidan Toua and Kyle Godwin suffering season-ending injuries against the Reds, Smith retains his place at inside centre while James Dargaville will start on the wing.
Brumbies: Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Andrew Smith, James Dargaville, Wharenui Hawera, Joe Powell, Jordan Smiler, Chris Alcock, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter (capt), Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Mann-Rea, Scott Sio. Res: Robbie Abel, Ben Alexander, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Blake Enever, Jarrad Butler, Tomas Cubelli, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Christian Lealiifano.
