Auelua and McKellar will lead a combined team of 14 ACT Brumbies and the the best amateur players from around Canberra when the season begins this month.

The Vikings have also added former Wallabies and Brumbies prop Dan Palmer to their coaching roster, using his scrum expertise to boost the team's chances of winning.

Auelua has been tasked with leading the team, which caused some division in the capital's rugby community because of its name and colours.

The Vikings - a three-way financial partnership between the Brumbies, the Vikings Group and the University of Canberra - has already raised almost $100,000 more sponsorship revenue than officials had budgeted for.

The team will play in the Vikings' red and white strip, but there was a petition for the team to adopt traditional ACT rugby colours of blue, yellow and white to avoid links to Tuggeranong.

"I just hope that everyone gets on board and supports the team, we've got guys from every club in Canberra so it's not just a Vikings team," McKellar said.

"We need the community support, it's a Canberra team."

Auelua echoed McKellar's plea, urging fans to put club rugby rivalries on hold to support the team.

"I play for Wests [in Canberra's first grade competition] ... but hopefully everyone gets behind us and the competition," Auelua said.

"For club guys to be mixed in a professional environment will help them and they can judge themselves on what they need to do to get to the next level."

Palmer, 25, is a massive boost to the coaching staff.

Hewas regarded as the best tighthead prop in Australia, but decided to retire in the prime of his career following a one-season stint with French club Grenoble this year.

The front-rower spent three seasons with the Brumbies before moving his career to France.

McKellar will use his technical nous to help the Vikings turn their set piece into a weapon for the third-tier competition.

"Palms has been awesome around the team and it was sad to see him leave last year and it's great to have him back," Auelua said.

"He's got great knowledge around the scrum area and a lot of club players will learn a lot from him."

Auelua's Super Rugby campaign was derailed by a pre-season knee injury, which affected his power game and he struggled to cement a place in the Brumbies' starting XV.

"It's come at a good time, I had a lack of game time due to injury this year in Super Rugby and that put me behind," Auelua said.

"Especially mentally, it plays with your head a little bit. But to roll into another competition and get consistent rugby is important for me."

CANBERRA VIKINGS SQUAD: Ruan Smith, Allan Alaalatoa, Les Makin, Siliva Siliva, Seilala Lam, Mitch Wade, JP Smith, Scott Sio, Sione Taula, Sam Carter, Tom Staniforth, Dave McKern, Gareth Clouston, Fotu Auelua, Tim Cree, Jordan Smiler, Jarrad Butler, Sean Doyle, Rowan Perry, Michael Dowsett, Joe Powell, Rodney Iona, Isaac Thompson, Henry Speight, Joseph Tomane, Jerome Nuimata, Drew Southwell, Liam Slater, Christian Lealiifano, Matt Hawke, Pat McCabe, Nigel Ah Wong, Jake Rakic, Robbie Coleman, Jesse Mogg, Brendon Taueki.