Super Rugby guide: Ben Alexander's Brumbies break re-energises veteran prop

But Ben Alexander stepped outside the box to take long-service leave last year instead of chasing big bucks overseas.

It sounds like a strange move for a professional athlete, but a couple of months away from the rugby bubble has reignited Alexander's passion.

The 10-season veteran is on the verge of becoming the most capped player in ACT Brumbies history. He needs to play 12 more games to equal George Smith's record of 142 matches.

But Alexander doesn't care for personal milestones. His time away from the rugby bubble gave him time to focus on one thing.

"I want to win a Super Rugby title. That's it. All the other stuff doesn't matter," Alexander said.

The Brumbies granted Alexander two months of long-service leave at the end of the last Super Rugby season.

He used that time to spend time with his daughters and wife, stepping away from day-to-day duties after playing almost every game since making his debut in 2008.

Becoming a father to twins changed his life and perspective on rugby, but he's never been more driven to chase his championship goal.

The first task is "scrapping" in a front-row selection battle as the Brumbies' longest-serving player works with rising stars.

Wallabies Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa loom as a new starting prop combination but Alexander offers valuable experience and versatility.

Sio and Alaalatoa have battled hamstring injuries in the pre-season and are racing the clock to be fit for the opening round of the season against the Canterbury Crusaders.

The round-one clash in Christchurch will make the start of Alexander's 10th season.

He burst on to the Super Rugby stage in 2008 as a try-scoring machine and has played 72 Tests for the Wallabies.

But it was time away from the game at a time when players his age consider a move overseas that has rejuvenated him.

"I hope that my friends and family consider me a loyal person, that's a characteristic I value extremely highly," Alexander said.

"So those who have been good to me, I want to be good to them. I had a bit of downtime last year to reflect on what I want and how I have to go about getting that.

"Having that break makes you appreciate it all more. By the end of the two months I was absolutely stinging to get back into training.

"You play the game for so long that you just lose sight of the fact you get to play rugby for a living. It puts it all in perspective. You learn to not take it too seriously."

Alexander is the third most-capped player in Brumbies history, sitting behind Australian rugby greats Smith and George Gregan.

If Alexander plays every game this year, he will pass Gregan (136) and then Smith (142).

Alexander will compete with Sio, Alaalatoa, Les Leuluailii-Makin, Faalelei Sione and Nic Mayhew for game time this year.

But he is refusing to bank on experience to win selection, adamant he can improve and revealing he is driving to chase a championship after falling short in the 2013 grand final.

"The last 10 seasons have flown by, but I still think I've got a lot of good footy ahead of me. I truly believe that.

"The moment you stop improving, you start going backwards. There have been times in my career where I haven't improved and I've slipped down the pecking order very quickly.

"It inspires you to keep training hard. You look at someone like David Pocock, who is always looking for tiny things to improve his game.

"The longer you play, the more obvious your weaknesses become. So you know what you've got to improve on. I'm definitely a lot clearer on what I have to do.

"I'm still learning the little things to get the best out of yourself. We went so close to winning it all in 2013 and that is a massive motivating factor for me.

"I want to work harder and I want to try to win that elusive title."