But, as his squad targets a Super Rugby title before some of their stars depart, Larkham knows the pain of three failed play-off campaigns and losing the World Cup final will add extra motivation to a year of hope.

The Brumbies begin their Super Rugby season when they play the Wellington Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

Before kick-off, Fairfax Media convened a panel of players, former stars and Larkham to decide whether it's make or break this year, how good David Pocock can be and how the club can draw fans back to Canberra Stadium.

Brumbies skipper Stephen Moore will join the Queensland Reds next year while Matt Toomua is moving to England, Joseph Tomane is poised for a move to France and David Pocock is considering a 12-month sabbatical to study.

The Brumbies have managed to hold on to their core playing roster in recent years, but the quartet forms a large chunk of key players who can influence the game.

Many have predicted this year is make or break for the Brumbies given their high-profile departures, but Moore says the rugby program is set up for ongoing success.

"That's how you want it to be," Moore said. "Traditionally we don't talk in rugby about premiership windows, that's more of a thing in the AFL.

"This team will evolve over time and it's up to the guys who are here in the future to make sure the opportunities are there to do well."

The Brumbies lost the grand final in 2013 and suffered semi-final heartbreak in the past two seasons.

"Those disappointments are fuelling the fire at the moment, it's really built a hunger in the guys and, for a lot of the Wallabies, the World Cup has reinvigorated that," said prop Scott Sio.

"It's always tough getting so close and falling so short at the end, but you've got to understand there was something you did that wasn't quite good enough.

"It's a good time for us to reinvent ourselves and, when the time comes, we'll get the job done. I don't think a premiership window ever closes."

The Brumbies will turn to two leaders this year to boost their quest for a title when Christian Lealiifano joins Stephen Moore in the captaincy role.

It's the first time the club has opted for two captains instead of one, despite boasting a rich history of some of Australia's greatest players.

Moore is the Wallabies' leader, but is leaving Canberra at the end of the season. Lealiifano looms as the man to take over full-time next year.

For now they're working together, and Lealiifano is adamant the partnership won't send conflicting messages to the playing group.

"I don't see it being too much different from what we've operated in the past," Lealiifano said. "Stephen Moore has high respect of the group and he's very powerful when he speaks.

"I'll add some value where I can without going overboard. I think it will work well with a good balance of the two of us. You don't want both of us speaking and giving too many messages. We have to lead by actions."

Former Brumby Rod Kafer says Stephen Moore is a "statesman" of Australian rugby and the pair is the "absolute right choice" as co-captains.

Flanker Scott Fardy endorses Lealiifano as a future sole skipper. "[Lealiifano] is going to get a chance to learn off Squeak ... I think they'll work well together. [Lealiifano] is going to be a great captain of this club."

Larkham is weighing up his coaching future and is yet to decide if he will continue his double life as Brumbies leader and Wallabies assistant coach.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is keen to keep him in both camps after they combined for a charge to the World Cup final last year.

Larkham is yet to re-sign with the Brumbies beyond the end of this year, but has indicated he is keen to stay at the club.

"I haven't had a chance to plan for the future, we'll find some time to sit down and work out what it looks like and whether [Cheika's] still keen to have me on board," Larkham said.

Larkham put off his personal Brumbies negotiations to focus on re-signing players. Kafer has no doubt Larkham has already left his mark on the Wallabies.

"The broader experiences are, the better coach you're going to be," Kafer said.

"I think he'll get an opportunity to be better, it's just a matter of whether he can handle the work load. But you have to weigh that up against the experience gained."

Speculation is swirling around David Pocock's future, but the star flanker will let his game do the talking when he runs out at Canberra Stadium on Friday.

Many judged Pocock the best player at the World Cup last year, despite New Zealand's Dan Carter edging him out for the award.

The 27-year-old is weighing up a 12-month sabbatical to study overseas before returning to Australian rugby for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

But the Brumbies believe Pocock can get even better this year and Larkham is devising a plan to make him more of an attacking threat.

"It's about getting his hands on the ball in attack and pushing forward ... carrying isn't something you see David do too much, he's more of a defender or on the ball," Larkham said.

"We try to get him in the game as much as we can, he's one of the best players in the world. In attack, personally I'd like to see him thriving."

Kafer believes Pocock was at the peak of his powers at the World Cup and is unsure how much improvement he has to make.

Moore, who will play his 150th game in round one, said: "The way he played at the World Cup was phenomenal ... I don't think we should put him under pressure to take his game to a new level. That stuff will take care of itself."

The Brumbies have suffered mid-season slumps in the past few seasons, resulting in them losing top spot in the Australian conference and leaving them fighting to make it to the finals.

"It has really cost us at the back end of seasons, that's something we really need to be well prepared for," Moore said.

"The coaches have already identified that and I think we'll tailor our training load. Our first run of games is really tough, we need to do as well as we can in that to set the season up."

The Brumbies have previously buckled under the pressure of being title contenders.

Their "Real Madrid of Super Rugby" side failed to fire in 2010 while a group of unknown Brumbies made it to the final in 2013.

The new Super Rugby structure also has the Brumbies playing all five New Zealand teams this year compared with just four in previous seasons.

"The competition structure is new and it opens up more opportunities than challenges," said two-time Super Rugby winner Joe Roff.

"They've got the squad there and realistically this is a potential championship-winning squad if the program continues the way it's going. Their senior players will be much better in the turning points of the season this year. They've got ownership of the team."

Stability has been the Brumbies' best friend in recent seasons and the bulk of the squad helped rebuild the team from the rabble in 2011 to contenders.

Prop Scott Sio predicts recruit Aidan Toua and Robbie Coleman will form an exciting combination as the fullback duo after the departure of Jesse Mogg.

Kafer is keen to keep an eye on the development of rising prop Tyrel Lomax, who has joined the Brumbies extended squad with the view of signing him in the future.

But the man everyone wants to see is Argentinian halfback Tomas Cubelli, who turned down a chance to play Super Rugby in his home country to sign with the Brumbies as Nic White's replacement.

"Everyone's looking forward to seeing [Cubelli] play," Fardy said. "I've played against him, I know he's a tough competitor and a very good player.

"And then we've got a number of young guys floating around just waiting to get their opportunity and get more minutes of Super Rugby ... I'm really happy with the depth we've got going into this year."

Larkham has already described Cubelli as the best running No.9 in Brumbies history. Not a bad rap given the Brumbies halfbacks of the past.

The Brumbies desperately want to get fans back to Canberra Stadium and Larkham has vowed to play an attacking brand to generate some excitement.

That means breaking the shackles of a previously predictable and rigid game plan to give the players freedom to express themselves.

The hope is the Brumbies will develop into an attacking powerhouse and pose a threat from anywhere on the field.

Super Rugby crowds have followed the trend of all sports and supporters are opting to watch on television rather than from the stands.

"Every club faces a challenge of getting fans at games," Moore said. "Whatever we can do to make fans want to feel like coming out is really important.

"Our way of doing that is playing well and playing a brand that people want to watch. We've tried to work on that in the off-season. I'd be hopeful we'll get good support this year."

Super Rugby officials have also tinkered with laws and the bonus point system to make games more attractive.

The four-try bonus point has been scrapped in favour of a reward for teams that win by more than three tries.

Moore says that will prevent teams from going into their shell if they're in front, while Kafer added: "You've got to play a style of rugby people associate with.

"People want to know, when they pay their money and turn up, what they'll get. If you deliver something they want to see, the crowds will come back.

"Crowds dipped when the Brumbies moved to a style the public didn't like. That was a couple of years ago, but they'll be more expansive this year and there are great signs."