But he knows he will be thankful. So thankful the ACT Brumbies hardman revealed this year could be his last Super Rugby season in Canberra because he says it's time to put wife Stacey first.

The Brumbies will have extra motivation for their clash against the Johannesburg Lions at Canberra Stadium when their mothers, wives, girlfriends and sisters form a guard of honour for ladies round.

It's the players way of recognising the contribution the women behind rugby make, and it hits home for Smiler as he prepares to make his comeback from a hamstring injury.

The 31-year-old is weighing up his rugby future to make Stacey's teaching career the family priority.

"Stacey has made a lot of sacrifices for me and my career, and I appreciate everything she does for our family. It's about time I started making a few sacrifices for her as well," Smiler said.

"We'll be looking at a few different things and looking at giving her an opportunity to take up a full-time job somewhere and begin her career.

"She's been looking after [son Keanu] and she has been awesome. I couldn't ask for anything more.

"Stacey is from Hong Kong, if she is looking for opportunities to teach then we'll look at it. We'll try to make things work both ways rather than just look at me going somewhere [for rugby].

"It could be my last season in Canberra. We've got to make some decisions and hopefully be able to confirm things before the end of the season."

The Brumbies are aiming to end a three-match losing streak and avoid four losses in a row for the first time in six years.

Beating the Lions will get their season back on track and set them up for a two-game tour of South Africa and Argentina.

But more importantly it would be a perfect way to celebrate the special women in their lives.

Captain Sam Carter's grandmother Penny and aunt Jenny will be on the field while others have invited wives and girlfriends for the occasion.

Smiler's mother-in-law Michelle will join Stacey and Keanu while he will also be thinking about the contribution his mother, Sharon, made to his career.

"Mum took me everywhere, when I was playing in invitational games as an amateur she was my bank and she never hesitated for a second," Smiler said.

The players will then host a special breakfast for the women at Brumbies headquarters on Saturday as a special pre-Mother's Day celebration.

Smiler and Stacey spent eight months apart last year after Stacey returned to Hong Kong to finish her masters in education and her mother, Michelle, helped look after Keanu.

The Brumbies players have formed a tight group, but their partners are the support network behind the scenes who organise regular dinners and play dates for those with children.

"We're excited to go down to the tunnel and I'm sure the boys are excited as well," Stacey said.

"I'll support Jordan for as long as he wants to play. It's always exciting and all of the partners try to support each other where they can."

Family is everything to Smiler. He was prepared to walk away from rugby at the end of 2014 when his father became ill and Keanu was diagnosed with epilepsy.

That's why winning a Super Rugby game is better, but being able to walk off the field and spend time with Stacey and Keanu is more important.

"The Brumbies do a great job at looking after our families, they know if our families are happy then we're happy on the field," Smiler said.

"Rugby is what I love and love doing, but my family are the reason why I'm out there. And to celebrate this game with them is something special."

SUPER ROUND ROUND 12

Friday: ACT Brumbies v Johannesburg Lions at 7.45pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. James Dargaville, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Jarrad Butler, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Ben Alexander. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Nic Mayhew, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Ben Hyne, 21. De Wet Roos, 22. Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23. Tom Banks.

Lions team: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Sylvian Mahuza, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. CourtnallSkosan, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Ross Cronje, 8. Warren Whiteley, 7. Ruan Ackermann, 6. Kwagga Smith, 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Johannes Jonker, 2. Robbie Coetzee, 1. Corne Fourie. Reserves: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Lourens Erasmus, 20. Robert Kruger/Cyle Brink, 21. Dillon Smit, 22. Jacques Nel, 23. Anthony Volmink.