That's why he has both Lachlan McCaffrey and Tom Cusack raring to fill the void left by the Wallabies superstar, who will be sidelined until at least mid-March following knee surgery.

McKellar hasn't settled on who will start at openside flanker in the absence of Pocock as the Brumbies begin their 2018 season against the Japan Sunwolves at Tokyo's Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

McCaffrey started at openside flanker in a trial against the Waikato Chiefs, while Cusack started in the No.7 jersey in the Brumbies' first trial against the Melbourne Rebels.

Lolo Fakaosilea provides a third option for McKellar, and the Brumbies mentor says whoever misses out on a starting spot is going to be "just as important" as the man that gets it.

"Cusack and McCaffrey both did quite well in the trials so it's just being really specific about what we feel will help us beat the opposition we've got first up," McKellar said.

"We'll make a decision there and back the person that gets a start, and understand that whoever comes off the bench is going to be just as important."

McKellar is also looking to settle on a flyhalf-inside centre combination, with Christian Lealiifano, Wharenui Hawera and Kyle Godwin all options to fill the No.10 and 12 jerseys.

The reality is Lealiifano is one of the Brumbies' captains, alongside Sam Carter, and he will "certainly be in the team".

"The other two guys have been excellent for a couple of months at training and they both performed well in the trials," McKellar said.

"One of those guys will get the starting opportunity this week and one will have the responsibility of finishing the game."

The Super Rugby season began in South Africa on Sunday morning with the Cape Town Stormers beating the Argentina Jaguares 28-20, and the Johannesburg Lions toppling the Durban Sharks 26-19.

For everyone else the action kicks off this week, with the Brumbies' round two clash against the Japan Sunwolves marking the club's first trip to Tokyo.

The Brumbies loom as a genuine chance to clinch a third consecutive Australian conference title despite the NSW Waratahs boasting an outfit overflowing with Wallabies stars.

A strong start will be crucial for the Brumbies, who will spend their first three games in the 16-match season on the road and won't play their first game in Canberra until March 16.

"It's a tough start with travel, but it also give us the chance to get away and spend a whole lot of time together as a team," McKellar said.

"We can come together as group and continue to build confidence and belief in what we're trying to do with how we want to play.

"I'm over talking about the Kiwi teams to be honest. We don't have any of those teams early on but when we do strike them we'll be certainly putting together a plan to beat them.

"It's no different with the Sunwolves, the Reds, the Rebels, the Sharks, and obviously the Waratahs.

"It's a good opportunity for us to get off to a good start and get some momentum before we come back home towards the end of March against the Sharks.

"The nature of the competition in the conference set up, you want to make sure that you're beating teams that are in your conference.

"That'll be the focus for us early on, but our priority at this point in time is just beating an improved Sunwolves team."