Giteau has yet to resume full training since tearing his quad muscle two weeks ago, and remains just a 50-50 chance of facing former side the Western Force in Friday night's Super14 opener.

While his teammates were put through their paces on the training park yesterday, Giteau was restricted to weights and cross training.

The Brumbies will give their star recruit as late as Thursday to prove his fitness, with Giteau expected to be named in a 23-man squad today.

Already resigned to handing over goalkicking duties to Stirling Mortlock, Giteau said he would only take to the field if he wasn't going to be a hindrance to the team.

''Once you're in the game you've got to be able to perform everything,'' he said.

''If I have to rely on others to do my role I won't play.

''But if I'm able to go out there and kick, run, do everything that I normally do, then I'm more than happy to play.

Matt Toomua is on stand-by for Giteau at flyhalf.

FRIDAY

Super14 round one

ACT Brumbies v Western Force

At ME Bank Stadium, 10.05pm

TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2

Likely ACT Brumbies team:

1. Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 3. Guy Shepherdson, 4. Justin Harrison, 5. Mark Chisholm, 6. Rocky Elsom, 7. George Smith, 8. Stephen Hoiles, 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Matt Giteau, 11. Francis Fainifo, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Stirling Mortlock, 14. Pat McCabe, 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper.

For more on the Brumbies, see today's Canberra Times.