Fardy and Test prop Scott Sio are in contention to make their Super Rugby returns in what looms as one of the most important games of the Brumbies' season.

Fardy was omitted from the Brumbies side that beat the Western Force by eight points on Friday night, ending a run of 62 consecutive games for the club.

But coach Stephen Larkham said it was a tactical decision to keep the 32-year-old warhorse fresh, adding they will be "smart" with the way they handle Fardy's workload this year.

The Brumbies will play the Waratahs in Sydney less than a week after the NSW side returns from a two-game tour of South Africa.

So Fardy's fresh legs will be crucial if he is injected back into the side after his replacement, Ben Hyne, was solid in just his second Super Rugby game.

"We're trying to be tactical and smart about how we approach the whole season," Larkham said.

"The good thing is Fards is rested up and we have an eight-day turnaround before our next game.

"Fards is a world-class player and we're just being smart with how we're managing him. We'll make the right decision."

Sio has been battling a hamstring injury but is close to making his return. It's unclear what role he will play given he missed the pre-season trials and hasn't played a match this year.

The potential return of Sio and Fardy will be a major boost for the Brumbies, who are riding high after grinding their way to a breakthrough win against the Force.

The Brumbies trailed for most of the second half and had to wait until the final seven minutes to snatch the lead and secure a 25-17 win.

It stretched the Brumbies' unbeaten run against Australian opponents to eight games, and skipper Sam Carter wants his team to build on the momentum of toppling the Force.

"We just need to hold our composure a little bit and work on a few new things for Sydney," Carter said.

"It was a pretty big relief for me, it felt like it was deja vu at the start of the second half [against the Force]. But we stuck to our systems. Sometimes it comes off and sometimes it won't. But if we keep faith it will come off more times than not.

"When you play the Tahs it's always tough. It doesn't matter if they're coming back from South Africa ... we're going to have to step up our game."

Carter and Larkham put faith in goal-kicker Wharenui Hawera to step up in the big moments.

Hawera, in his first Super Rugby season, missed his first three shots against the Force before calmly slotting a penalty and conversion to boot the Brumbies clear.

The fleet-footed playmaker showed spark in attack and finished with a 12-point haul.

"There are no bad decisions in our group, we back the players 100 per cent. Even if he misses one, he'll get the next one," Carter said.

Larkham added: "That's good leadership from Carts ... I saw [Hawera] come right up and tell Carts to back him. When that happens, you get a result."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND FOUR

Saturday: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, 7.45pm.