Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels and his team manager Tony Thorpe were powerful voices in Canberra when World Cup-winner Jake White transformed the Brumbies from battlers to contenders.

It was the duo's introduction to Australian rugby before they took different paths and eventually linked up at the reformed Rebels to do a similar repair job seven years later.

Now they are attempting to expose the Brumbies' weaknesses to stamp the Rebels as genuine Australian conference contenders.

The Brumbies are set to recall Wallabies front-rower Scott Sio for his first game of the season after Australia's premier loosehead prop got through training unscathed on Monday.

It's hoped Sio's return will add starch to the Brumbies scrum, which was overpowered by the Queensland Reds last week.

But flanker Tom Cusack says the players are refusing to panic after just two games, backing the scrum to prove it can be one of the best in the competition and urging fans to keep the faith.

Brumbies pride was dented last week, admitting they lacked game-day spark after conceding 13 penalties and missing 19 tackles.

"Our set piece is what we pride ourself on as a club and franchise, to be dominated there is something we've focused on and we'll be a lot better, you only get stronger by facing adversity," Cusack said.

"We were shown up by the Reds and that's not something we're proud of. I can confidently say I think we've got the best scrum in the Australian conference. We've got an exceptional forward pack and exceptional scrum.

"It's just building combinations and confidence in belief in each other that we can do the job. We're learning along the way."

Former Western Force mentor Wessels is trying to build a new Rebels brand in Melbourne. The Force was axed from Super Rugby last year, prompting the Rebels to recruit Wessels and a host of players from Perth.

Wessels then turned to trusted advisor Thorpe to bolster his back room staff and the Rebels are now reaping the rewards after back to back bonus point-wins to start the season.

If they score another bonus-point win against the Brumbies, they will establish an early-season 11-point gap to be clear of their Canberra rivals on the ladder.

Former Force back Kyle Godwin said: "I really enjoyed when Dave was head coach, I enjoyed what he did with the team.

"So far he's done a good job with the Rebels. I'm sure he'll have a few tricks up his sleeve this weekend.

"For us, it's back to the drawing board and reviewing [the loss to the Reds], that's not the way we want to play and it's not the Brumbies standard. It's a good hard look at ourselves and trying to be better this weekend.

"The boys weren't delivering with that spark and we felt that. We've got to have a look at that."

Sio could be a massive addition to the Brumbies' pack after missing the first two games with a calf injury.

Cusack has also been cleared of concussion and will play after needing 10 stitches to repair a cut above his eyebrow.

"We were pretty disappointed with the points we did leave out there [against the Reds]," Cusack said.

"Reviewing the footage, there were a lot of opportunities where we could score tries but we're just not taking them at the moment.

"That's the confidence we're trying to build amongst the group, to take the risks and the opportunities when they arise."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND FOUR

Friday: Melbourne Rebels v ACT Brumbies at AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7.45pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.