The ACT Brumbies say they won't fall into the trap of relying on superstar flanker David Pocock to keep their season alive when he makes his comeback from injury on Friday night.
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But the former Wallabies captain was not the selection shock in the Brumbies team to play the Otago Highlanders, with coach Stephen Larkham shuffling the decks for the knockout battle.
Pocock has been cleared to throw himself into the Super Rugby finals after recovering from a broken eye socket in a timely boost for the Brumbies' title aspirations.
He is one of three changes to the starting XV. Veteran prop Ben Alexander has been left out of the game-day squad, towering lock Rory Arnold has been ruled out with an elbow problem and winger Robbie Coleman will make his return.
There's no doubt Pocock is the biggest inclusion and gives the Brumbies a confidence boost as they finalise preparations for a clash against the defending champions.
Pocock will discard the protective face padding he has worn at training for the past two weeks as he eased himself back into training after suffering the injury six weeks ago.
But playmaker Matt Toomua says the Brumbies won't expect Pocock to shoulder the load.
"Pocock [has a positive] influence on the guys on and off the field," Toomua said.
"I think his reputation speaks for itself having him there. I dare say [the Highlanders] will like to play that fast sort of footy so to have a guy like him either stealing the ball or slowing it down, it plays into our hands.
"I'm sure [the Highlanders] will focus on him heavily but in saying that, it could open opportunities for other guys.
"We've got more guys than just Dave. But to have him back in such a big game is a great thing. Having him back is awesome, he'd fit into any team."
Arnold is out for at least a week with Enever being thrust into a starting spot for just the second time this year, while Coleman is back in the squad after three weeks playing club rugby for Queanbeyan.
Coleman will jump straight into the starting side and give the Brumbies another kicking option as they attempt to take the Highlanders' dangerous back line out of the game.
He replaces James Dargaville in the starting XV while prop Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin is the back-up tighthead prop, and Dargaville and Lausii Taliauli have been named on an extended bench.
The Brumbies have beaten just one New Zealand rival this year in a lopsided trans-Tasman contest that has seen Australian sides win just three of 25 matches between the countries this season.
"We haven't played our best in the last couple of weeks so we'll focus on how we can play to our strengths," Toomua said.
"There's still risk in what we're good at ... we've got the variety in our game and we've definitely got the players there.
"It's a different ball game now. It's not ideal [the Australia-New Zealand record], you would have obviously liked to have won more games.
"But it is how it is. [New Zealand teams] have definitely led the way and no one can deny that, the stats speak for themselves. They've got four teams in the finals, they've done well.
"But we have an opportunity at home against a good team and if you win that, those conversation are forgotten."
SUPER RUGBY QUALIFYING FINAL
Friday: ACT Brumbies v Otago Highlanders at Canberra Stadium, 6pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
FAN DAY
Thursday: Brumbies players will meet with fans at the Canberra Centre near the Nespresso store at 12.30pm in Civic.
Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Nigel Ah Wong, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. Robbie Coleman, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8. Jarrad Butler, 7. David Pocock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Blake Enever, 3. Ruan Smith, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Michael Wells, 21. Joe Powell, 22. Andrew Smith, 23. James Dargaville, 24. Lausii Taliauli (one to be omitted).
Highlanders team: 15. Ben Smith, 14. Waisake Naholo, 13. Matt Faddes, 12. Malakai Fekitoa, 11. Patrick Osborne, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Liam Squire, 7. Shane Christie, 6. Elliot Dixon, 5. Luke Whitelock, 4. Tom Franklin, 3. Josh Hohneck, 2. Ash Dixon, 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Aki Seiuli, 18. Siosiua Halanukonuka, 19. Mark Reddish, 20. Dan Pryor, 21. Te Aihe Toma, 22. Fletcher Smith, 23. Rob Thompson
