The ACT Brumbies are backing scrumhalf De Wet Roos to play a key role in their bid for a Super Rugby finals spot, re-signing the little known No. 9 until June.
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Roos' signed a two-month contract with the Brumbies at the start of the season as an injury replacement for Argentina international Tomas Cubelli.
He has had minimal game time behind Wallabies hopeful Joe Powell, but Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said the 26-year-old has shown he can handle Super Rugby pressure.
Roos has been juggling rugby and his job as a construction project manager for the first seven weeks of the season and will stay in Canberra until Cubelli is ready to return.
It is hoped Cubelli will recover from his knee injury in time for the last rounds of the regular season and finals after damaging his patellar tendon in a pre-season trial.
"He's been so valuable for us already and fitted in with the group really well," Larkham said.
"He adds a bit of a running game and bit of energy when he's been coming on in games. He's a very good organiser and very good defensively.
"Then he just adds experience as well ... he's not overawed whenever he comes on the field and he just gets the job done."
The Brumbies lead the Australian conference despite winning just two games so far this season.
Roos is set to keep his spot on the bench as Powell's back up for the Brumbies' derby clash against the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.
Larkham will name his team on Thursday, with Wallabies prop Scott Sio set to make his starting XV comeback for the first time this year after battling a hamstring injury.
The Reds pulled a selection shock on Wednesday, axing Wallabies scrumhalf Nick Frisby from the game-day squad after a five consecutive defeats.
The Reds are also missing playmaker Quade Cooper, who is serving the last week of his three-game suspension for a high tackle.
It sets up a battle of inexperienced halves, with Powell and Wharenui Hawera to go head to head with James Tuttle and Jake McIntyre.
"Joey [Powell] has been really good and played a lot of minutes for us this year and De Wet has plenty of years of first grade in experience," Larkham said.
"We're probably shading them in Super Rugby experience, but there are some new guys coming through.
"We've spoken about our rotation and maybe that's what the Reds are using as well."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND SEVEN
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. Tickets available for $20 if purchased before 6pm. Curtain-raiser: Brumbies legends v Reds Barbarians at 6pm.
Reds team: 15. Lachlan Maranta, 14. Chris Kuridrani, 13. Samu Kerevi, 12. Duncan Paia'aua, 11. Eto Nabuli, 10. Jake McIntyre, 9. James Tuttle, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 7. George Smith, 6. Adam Korczyk, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Rob Simmons, 3. Sam Talakai, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Sef Fa'agase. Reserves: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. Kirwan Sanday, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Izack Rodda, 20. Hendrik Tui, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Hamish Stewart, 23. Izaia Perese.
