The ARU will reportedly announce a $3.749 million profit at its annual general meeting in the coming weeks with Super Rugby still gripped by uncertainty.

The Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels and Western Force are nervously waiting for clarity on their future as Super Rugby bosses weigh up axing one Australian team from the competition.

The ARU has remained silent on which teams is in the firing line, fuelling speculation about the Brumbies, Rebels and Force.

But figures in a report in The Australian on Thursday should give the ARU plenty of reasons to keep the Brumbies. In fact, almost $3 million worth of reasons.

It was reported the Brumbies received $5.775 million in funding from the ARU - the smallest amount of any team including the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds despite 12 months of off-field drama.

The Force was given $7.357 million and the Rebels' pockets were filled with $8.3 million.

The Brumbies reported a loss of $864,093 for the past financial year, which was largely attributed to a costly legal battle with former chief executive Michael Jones.

The financial data coupled with the Brumbies' rich history as two-time champions and a factory for Wallabies players should be enough evidence for the Canberra club to survive.

But an on-field reminder against the Queensland Reds on Saturday night will reinforce the Brumbies' importance to Australian rugby.

The Brumbies have won their past nine Australian derbies and sit at the top of the Australian conference ladder despite a slow start to the year.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has rotated captain Sam Carter out of the squad as he battles a rib complaint, opening the door for Scott Fardy to lead the club for the first time.

The Brumbies will face familiar faces in the rivalry clash, with former ACT captain Stephen Moore and club legend George Smith returning to the capital wearing enemy red.

Smith won the Brumbies player of the year award 10 times while Moore led a Brumbies rugby revival in his eight seasons in Canberra.

"Every time you come up against Australian sides, they've got a pretty good understanding of what the other Australian sides play," Larkham said.

"George has been out of our system for a while but Steve is pretty fresh to this program and knows exactly how we're playing.

"So we've tweaked a few things this week to see if it will throw him out a bit ... we changed some of our calling and lineouts.

"We had him here for a number of years ... he's not one of those guys who will be desperate to know what our calls are and try to stuff them up."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND SEVEN

Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. Tickets available for $20 if purchased before 6pm. Curtain-raiser: Brumbies legends v Reds Barbarians at 6pm.

Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Tom Banks, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Rory Arnold, 4. Blake Enever, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Robbie Abel, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. Nic Mayhew, 18. Ben Alexander, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Jarrad Butler, 21. De Wet Roos, 22. Andrew Smith, 23. James Dargaville.

Reds team: 15. Lachlan Maranta, 14. Chris Kuridrani, 13. Samu Kerevi, 12. Duncan Paia'aua, 11. Eto Nabuli, 10. Jake McIntyre, 9. James Tuttle, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 7. George Smith, 6. Adam Korczyk, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Rob Simmons, 3. Sam Talakai, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Sef Fa'agase. Reserves: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. Kirwan Sanday, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Izack Rodda, 20. Hendrik Tui, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Hamish Stewart, 23. Izaia Perese.