That's because it was less than 18 months ago when the 30-year-old ended his Brumbies career with 50 Super Rugby caps to his name to take up a contract with Irish club Munster.

A short stint with French side Montpellier followed before Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham came calling with the offer of a two-year deal.

As they say, it was one too good to refuse. So Smith is back among many of the familiar faces he was teammates with during his first time at the Brumbies from 2010-14.

There are new ones, too. One of those is Wallabies star Tevita Kuridrani, the man who has emerged as the premier outside centre in Australia and who has a lock on the Brumbies' No. 13 jersey.

"He's a world-class player and he had a great World Cup," Smith said. "You want depth in the squad and you want guys pushing for positions. That's what I'm going to do."

His presence will leave Smith challenging for the inside centre role which has Christian Lealiifano at the front of the queue, with James Dargaville, Nigel Ah Wong and Robbie Coleman among those eager to grab their chance.

Coleman is the front-runner for the fullback spot left vacant by Jesse Mogg, although Lealiifano could be tried there as well.

Smith said it was a pretty easy decision to return to Canberra.

"The Brumbies is always a great place to play and it was always in the back of my mind to come back," Smith said. "Family was a big reason as well. I've got a young family and that made it easier for me."

Playing in Europe gave Smith a valuable insight into how the game is played differently in the Northern Hemisphere.

"It was a lot slower, probably more physical and a very forward-oriented game," Smith said. "At times it was tough for backs, but it was one of those things you had to adapt to. The ball doesn't come out to the backs, so you've got to go looking for the ball a bit more."

Keeping the ball in the forwards is exactly what Brumbies front-rower Albert Anae would love to see. Anae is completing his first pre-season with the Brumbies after getting a taste of the style of play with the Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship.

The 26-year-old will challenge Allan Alaalatoa as the back-up to Wallabies loose-head prop Scott Sio. "Both are very strong scrummagers and Scotty showed it at the World Cup," Anae said. "I'm still at the bottom of the mountain and have a lot of work to do."