Auelua will likely be named in the Brumbies' starting XV today for the round eight clash with the Rebels at Canberra Stadium.

And the 115kg wrecking ball will be determined to have an immediate physical impact when he makes his Super Rugby debut.

Auelua joined the Brumbies at the start of the season, but a knee injury meant he was forced to patiently watch from the sidelines for the past two months. His inclusion for the match against the Rebels is part of a forward-pack reshuffle.

Auelua is expected to move into the No.8 spot, with skipper Ben Mowen shifting to blindside flanker.

Scott Fardy has won a starting spot after his impressive performances and he will join Sam Carter in the second row.

Flanker Michael Hooper will be back in the No.7 jumper as part of the forward-pack rotations.

Auelua's power game will add dynamic punch to the Brumbies' back row. The 28-year-old has spent most of his career abroad playing in France and Japan.

But the former Australian Schoolboy decided to join the Brumbies in an attempt to satisfy his burning desire to be a force in Super Rugby.

Auelua has already had a significant impact since arriving in Canberra.

In his first match back from a medial ligament strain, Auelua knocked out an unsuspecting Easts defender just 30 seconds into his debut game for Wests in a pre-season contest.

It is hoped he will bring the same brutal approach to Super Rugby.

The Brumbies were destroyed at the breakdown in their loss to the Queensland Reds last weekend and Hooper's ball-scavenging abilities and Auelua's power will add starch to the line-up.

Brumbies forwards coach Laurie Fisher put the team through an intense breakdown session at the University of Canberra on Tuesday.

The Reds forced 27 turnovers, which crippled the momentum the Brumbies were building against the defending champions.

While coach Jake White is expected to reshape his forward pack, rookie back Tevita Kuridrani has forced his way into the starting side.

Kuridrani made his debut when he came on as a reserve last weekend, but he is expected to be thrust into the outside centre position.

The Brumbies' back line faces a stern test against Wallabies James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale, with former England Test playmaker Danny Cipriani directing the Rebels around the field.

Winger Henry Speight says the Brumbies' back line can find its groove against the Rebels, but the flying Fijian wants to have greater involvement. Speight has scored one try in six matches this year.

With Robbie Coleman in contention to make his return from a groin injury, there will be major competition for places on the wing and at fullback.

''There's a good vibe and confidence in the back line that we can just back ourselves and have a go when the chances present themselves,'' Speight said.

''First and foremost I would like to get my hands on the ball more and score more tries to be honest.

''Just in general I think there's a few things I need to improve on in defence and attack, but I'd like to get more involvement and have more of an influence on the game.

''I think the competition for spots is really good and the more competition there is the better we'll be … for me it's just about personally getting some form.''