Taking down Skelton is nothing compared to spending eight months living on opposite sides of the world to wife Stacey and son Keanu.

So it's fitting that as he settles back into daddy duties and family life, the ACT Brumbies have called on him to step up in one of the biggest matches of the Super Rugby season.

Smiler has been thrust into the Brumbies starting XV for the first time this year for the clash at Allianz Stadium, replacing Ita Vaea who was forced into premature retirement due to a heart condition.

When Smiler gets home his two biggest supporters will be waiting for him for the first time this season and he hopes a settled home life will help boost his Super Rugby aspirations.

"It's a relief to all be back together. I went from happily married life with a little toddler to going back to bachelor life, moving in with one of the [Brumbies] bros," Smiler said.

"The time flew by and it made it easier knowing we had the same goals and wanted to achieve the same things. This was the way things had to be done, so it was all right.

"We shed a few tears [when we were reunited], I picked up Keanu to give him a hug but he just wanted to run around. He got used to seeing me on a computer screen."

Smiler spent most of the week's preparation packing boxes and moving out of his temporary home with "one of the bros", Nigel Ah Wong, to shift into his base with Stacey and Keanu.

Stacey and Keanu have been in Hong Kong since September while Stacey completed her university degree in education. They chose Hong Kong to be closer to Stacey's parents to help look after Keanu.

But Smiler's story of sacrifice in Australia runs much deeper than Skype sessions and waiting to be reunited.

Twelve months ago Smiler signed a deal with French second-division club Nevers. Just months later, Smiler was prepared to walk away from rugby for the good of his family.

His father became ill and Keanu was diagnosed with epilepsy. He put rugby on hold until the Brumbies threw him a lifeline to stay in Canberra.

The only catch was that Stacey was studying in Hong Kong and it meant eight months living alone.

"Stace still has some assignments to do and we've got Keanu's epilepsy to deal with so we're looking for a specialist ... we're trying to balance all those things out and get it all right again," Smiler said.

"The reason for Stacey being away was to further her education. We had goals in mind and this was part of it. She had to be away for a little bit, so we dealt with it.

"In the past eight months we've probably been together four weeks and that's it. You miss your family, but we got through it and Stace has done really well."

An unexpected twist at Brumbyland has propelled the unassuming and humble Smiler into the Brumbies forward pack for the massive clash against the Waratahs.

Vaea was forced to retire this week after doctors advised him his health was at risk if he continued to play on with a heart condition.

The news rocked the Brumbies. Players shed tears in the team meeting room when Vaea broke the news. But now they say they're playing in Vaea's honour and are determined to make him proud.

"There's been a lot going on this week, we're trying to move so Stace doesn't have to worry about that on the weekend and then the unfortunate events with the brother, Ita," Smiler said.

"It's put me in a position to start at No.8 there in a big game against the Waratahs. There are a lot of exciting times and sad times ... a bit stressful as well, but all good.

"Starting is not something that fazes me too much any more. I've been hanging out to start games since the beginning of my career. I'm comfortable with that role and add whatever I can to the team."

The Brumbies' back-row will be put under the blowtorch with the loss of Vaea and David Pocock (suspension).

But despite that, the Brumbies still hold an advantage with Smiler and Jarrad Butler joining Scott Fardy in the starting side.

Smiler (39), Butler (51) and Fardy (72) share 162 Super Rugby caps between them compared to the Waratahs' combination of Michael Hooper (86), Jed Holloway (nine) and Jack Dempsey (eight) who have a combined 103 appearances.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said: "Jordan was very motivated last year and he got a chance to renew his contract. We've seen a definite change in his attitude in making the most of this part of his career and this part of his life.

"He's very much family orientated and it's difficult to be apart from them. He missed them dearly, them being back is completing him again.

"We picked Jordan up out of Norths in Sydney a few years ago and he was on the fringes for a while ... we've seen improvement every week and certainly throughout the years. I've got no doubt he'll do well."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND EIGHT

Saturday: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Sydney Football Stadium, 7.45pm. Tickets available from Ticketek TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2

Brumbies: 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. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Michael Wells, 21. Joe Powell, 22. James Dargaville, 23. Nigel Ah Wong.

Waratahs: 15. Andrew Kellaway, 14. Reece Robinson, 13. Israel Folau, 12. Kurtley Beale, 11. Matt Carraro, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Nick Phipps, 8. Jed Holloway, 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Jack Dempsey, 5. Will Skelton, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Tom Robertson, 2. Hugh Roach, 1. Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16. James Hilterbrand, 17. Paddy Ryan, 18. Angus Taavao, 19. Sam Lousi, 20. Wycliff Palu, 21. David Dennis, 22. Matt Lucas, 23. David Horwitz.