ACT Brumbies re-sign back-rower Jarrad Butler as David Pocock's replacement

Butler has committed to the Brumbies until at least the end of 2017, making him the perfect man to step up and fill David Pocock's shoes when the superstar flanker takes a sabbatical from the game next year.

News of his re-signing was a massive boost for the Brumbies on Friday as they finalised preparations for a clash against the Canterbury Crusaders and continued to deal with off-field controversy.

Butler will fill the No. 7 duties again when the Brumbies play the Crusaders at Canberra Stadium on Sunday as Pocock serves the final match of his Super Rugby suspension.

Butler, 25, captained the Canberra Vikings into the National Rugby Championship grand final last year and Moore said that was an indication of his leadership potential.

"He's been massive for us the whole time he has been [in Canberra], on and off the field," Moore said.

"We really missed him when he was out injured and he was great for us [against the NSW Waratahs last week]. He gets through a mountain of work and has shown real leadership off the field.

"We saw him lead the NRC team last year and that's an indication of what he's capable of in terms of his leadership. He's just a good person, too. A great guy to have around the club. It's a great thing for the Brumbies that he's hanging around."

The Brumbies will attempt to end a seven-year losing streak against the Crusaders when they take on their New Zealand rivals in the capital.

Coach Stephen Larkham has named an unchanged starting XV, with scrumhalf Michael Dowsett the only change on the bench in replacing Joe Powell.

Larkham admitted he would have liked to have finalised a two-year deal with Butler, but Pocock's impending 12-month absence made it difficult to negotiate a long-term contract.

"Jarrad has proved time and time again that he is one of the best up and coming players in Australian rugby," Larkham said.

"He has been a consistent member of the Brumbies match-day side since joining the club and plays a vital role every week whether it is as a reserve or a starting player."

The Brumbies have been dealing with off-field distractions for the past month after chief executive Michael Jones was stood down by the board, but reinstated after taking the decision to the ACT Supreme Court.

It took another twist this week when the board organised a rival meeting to an extraordinary general meeting and Jones met with chairman Robert Kennedy on Friday.

Moore said: "The stuff going on is out of our control and nothing to do with the rugby side of things.

"We've really tried to focus on what we can improve on every week and that's our football and playing well every week.

"The boys have been a credit to the organisation, they've bought into that and focused hard on what they can do. That's playing footy. If you ask the players, most of them wouldn't understand it at all. It would be great to have it sorted for everyone, but really there's nothing we can do about it."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND NINE

Sunday: ACT Brumbies v Canterbury Crusaders at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Robbie Coleman, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. Joseph Tomane, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Jarrad Butler, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Michael Wells, 21. Michael Dowsett, 22. James Dargaville, 23. Nigel Ah Wong.

Crusaders: 15. Israel Dagg, 14. Jone Macilai, 13. Kieron Fonotia, 12. David Havili, 11. Nemani Nadolo, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 9. Andy Ellis, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Matt Todd, 6. Jordan Taufua, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Luke Romano, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Joe Moody. Reserves: 16. Ged Robinson, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Mike Alaalatoa, 19. Sam Whitelock, 20. Tim Boys, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Sean Wainui, 23. Marty McKenzie.