Stranded 12,000 kilometres away from his family in Buenos Aires, former ACT Brumbies player Cubelli's mouth started to water as the unmistakable smell of charcoal wafted through leafy Red Hill.

Cubelli found an Argentinian sanctuary in Canberra and a taste of home looms as the secret weapon for a Wallabies boilover on Saturday night when he returns as the enemy for the first time.

Cubelli and the Argentina Pumas have set their sights on beating the Wallabies at Canberra Stadium just two months after the scrumhalf ended a two-year stint at the Brumbies.

Argentina hasn't beaten the Wallabies in Australia since 1983, but ambassador Dr Hugo Gobbi invited the entire squad to his Red Hill embassy this week for a perfect boost.

Cubelli made the embassy his second home while playing for the Brumbies, regularly joining Dr Gobbi, his wife and staff for meals and a chance to reconnect with his homeland.

"Coming back to Canberra with the Argentina team is something pretty special to me," Cubelli said.

"I'm looking forward to the Test and I'm excited. And here [at the embassy] is a place like home for, a charcoal barbecue and the hospitality of the ambassador.

"There's not a big Argentinian community here, so I would come to the embassy for dinners and they would come to Brumbies games."

Dr Gobbi invited the players and coaches to his residence for a meeting with Australian Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove.

"This was like Tomas' home," Dr Gobbi said.

"He would come often for pizza, barbecues ... he was part of the family here at the embassy."

Australian Rugby Union officials hope ticket sales will spike before the game for the first international Test in Canberra since 2010.

There were fears the slow-moving crowd support would be one of the lowest crowds in Wallabies history, which could affect Canberra's ability to lure international rugby in the future.

Organiser are hopeful a swell of support and some Argentinian flair will help attract more fans to the stands.

"The Wallabies will have their hands absolutely full," Sir Peter said to the Argentina players.

"I will be at the game, we will be cheering the Wallabies but I want to see a wonderful game."

Cubelli, who will start on the Pumas' bench, is confident Argentina can ends its 34-year Australian drought as he prepares to play against ex-Brumbies teammates.

"We have to keep on building to get to our best, we have some things to prove against the Wallabies," Cubelli said.

"I had some good times and bad times [with injury] in Canberra, but it was very good for me to be involved in a prestigious organisation like the Brumbies. I made friends for life."

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday: Wallabies v Argentina at Canberra Stadium, 8pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.