The wounded Brumbies will return to action when they play the Queensland Reds in Canberra on Friday night after just three training sessions together in the past month.

Wallabies battles across the field will add extra spice to the contest as Tevita Kuridrani and outside centre rival Samu Kerevi collide in a giant midfield battle while loosehead props Scott Sio and James Slipper are competing for the same Test jersey.

Brumbies flanker Scott Fardy says senior players need to stand up and take charge of the team with their finals ambitions on the line and as they deal with the loss of superstar David Pocock.

Nine of the Brumbies suiting up to play the Reds were part of the Wallabies squad that suffered a three-nil series defeat at the hands of England during the Super Rugby hiatus.

But Fardy says that pain will fuel the desire to earn a finals berth and chase what would be a drought-breaking title.

"I think guys are pretty fresh ... to see someone like Rory Arnold get an opportunity at Test level, that will only make him grow," Fardy said.

"He's already shown that in training we've had here, he's turned a bit more into a leader.

"You kick stones for a few days [after losing the Wallabies series], but that's only natural. At the end of the day, you're doing what you love doing, and I love playing alongside these guys in Canberra.

"I'm looking forward to getting out there and righting a few wrongs personally ... a week is a long time. You go out and play well, you feel good and move on.

"No one had their best Test but you just want to win. We didn't play that badly but we didn't have that clinical edge at Test level, we had to be better than we were. Now we have to make sure we're getting wins at Super Rugby level."

The Reds will put plenty of heat on the Brumbies at the breakdown and then inject Wallabies squad members Kane Douglas and Leroy Houston from the bench.

Fardy will take on more back-row responsibility in Pocock's absence, while rookie Ben Hyne will get his first Super Rugby cap when he starts as the Brumbies' No. 8.

Hyne comes straight into the Brumbies' starting team despite not even having a full-time Super Rugby contract.

He joins a team boasting Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore, Test locks Sam Carter and Arnold and playmakers Christian Lealiifano and Matt Toomua.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has opted to keep Argentina scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli on the bench after he only arrived in Canberra on Tuesday following his appearances for the Pumas.

Cubelli's late arrival has opened the door for Joe Powell to get his first starting appearance in Super Rugby.

"I'm happy to be back and really excited about these three weeks," Cubelli said.

"Everyone has to leave internationals [to one side] and think about the end of the [Super Rugby] season. We want a happy ending story for this group.

"I had a good time [in Argentina] seeing family, I really missed them and I've been here for six months. But I've filled the tank with energy to enjoy the last part of the season."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND 15

Friday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Nigel Ah Wong, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. James Dargaville, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Ben Hyne, 7. Jarrad Butler, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Michael Wells, 21. Tomas Cubelli, 22. Andrew Smith, 23. Lausii Taliauli.

Reds team: 15. Jack Tuttle, 14. Chris Kuridrani, 13. Samu Kerevi, 12. Henry Taefu, 11. Eto Nabuli, 10. Jake McIntyre, 9. Nick Frisby, 8. Curtis Browning, 7. Liam Gill, 6. Kendrik Tui, 5. Lukhan Tui, 4. Cadeyrn Neville, 3. Greg Holmes, 2. Andrew Ready, 1. James Slipper. Reserves: 16. Saia Fainga'a, 17. Sef Fa'agase, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Kane Douglas, 20. Leroy Houston, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Duncan Paia'aua, 23. Campbell Magnay.