That's why the ACT Brumbies will turn to him this year when their season is on the line as the club's longest-serving player, goal kicker and now co-captain.

But it all flashes before his eyes the moment his right boot catches fire after kicking a flaming ball for the cover photo of The Canberra Times' ACT Brumbies Super Rugby guide.

"I was a bit scared but there was nothing to be scared off. It was just weird to look down and see your boot on fire, and the ball as well," Lealiifano grinned.

"For me, I guess I try to stay calm on the field and focused. But when you light my leg on fire ... yeah, that will rattle me."

Lealiifano is preparing for his 10th season in Canberra – and it looms as the biggest of his career.

The 28-year-old is poised to grab the flyhalf duties for the opening-round clash against the Wellington Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

He'll also team up with Stephen Moore in a new co-captains duo as they try to lead the club to a drought-breaking Super Rugby title.

Deep down Lealiifano harbours a desire to win back his place in the Wallabies squad after he was overlooked for the World Cup last year.

But Lealiifano says none of that is weighing heavily on his shoulders. Instead, the Brumbies' voice of reason is driven by a simple mantra that will define his career.

"I just want to leave the Brumbies in a better place than the club was in when I got here," Lealiifano said.

"I guess it's sort of driving me to make sure I leave behind the right legacy. It's not about how I want to be remembered or anything like that.

"I just want to have an impact at the Brumbies in a positive way. That's not saying the Brumbies were bad or anything, it's just you want to help the organisation move forward. I want to chase success."

Lealiifano's journey to 101 games for the Brumbies has been long and winding.

He started as an unknown kid from Melbourne who moved to Canberra as a teenager to train alongside Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, George Smith and Stirling Mortlock.

He's shifted around the back line, suffered season-ending injuries and the heartbreak of losing the 2013 grand final, as well as making and missing game-changing kicks.

But what is rarely seen is the impact he's had on the players around him. Even when he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, Lealiifano finds a way to have a positive impact on others.

He's the link between the veterans, the young guns and "The Community" – a group of Polynesian players.

"Christian is very compassionate, very good at motivating and a natural leader. And this year he's already stepped up, he's relishing that leadership role," Brumbies coach Larkham said.

"It's going to motivate him to get a good performance on the field. He's been a leader for such a long time now anyway, this just formalises it and is a reward for him."

The Brumbies loom as genuine title contenders this year, boasting 13 internationals in their squad and a host of experience.

Lealiifano wants to drive high standards to ensure no one slips into the comfort zone of thinking wins will just happen for the Brumbies.

Some of the club's stars have opted for change at the end of the year, with Matt Toomua, Moore and Joseph Tomane set to move on while David Pocock's future remains up in the air.

Lealiifano bucked the trend to recommit to Canberra, turning down offers from overseas to sign a flexible deal with the Brumbies until the end of 2018.

"There have been offers to leave but it's so hard to leave this place. I've grown up in Canberra. I came here as a kid and lived with my brother, he made sure he kept me on track," Lealiifano said.

"Being captain doesn't change how I look at this season, I would still be driving the standards I want to drive if I was in that role or not."

Many regarded Lealiifano as the most unlucky player in Australian rugby last year when Wallabies coach Michael Cheika opted not to take him to the World Cup.

Instead of sulking, Lealiifano got down to work. He played for the Barbarians in London and then almost led the Canberra Vikings to a National Rugby Championship title.

Watching from afar was tough. But it is fuelling his desire to get back into the gold jersey and make a lasting mark for Australia.

"I've got big aspirations to still represent the country, that's massive for me," Lealiifano said.

"Having a small taste of it only makes you want it even more. I'm not getting any younger, there are other guys who are heading overseas who could still come back and play.

"I know I don't have long, so it's a huge motivating factor because I know how special it is, and I know I want more of it."

So why will Lealiifano make a good leader for a Brumbies team desperate for a title?

"Christian played with some of the players I played with, and they say he's the greatest team man they've ever seen," former Brumby Rod Kafer said.

"That's a fantastic endorsement. Of course he was unlucky to miss out on the World Cup squad ... but he will get his chance and you know when he does, he'll take it with both hands."

The Brumbies rate Lealiifano so highly they have already talked about a coaching role at the club when he calls time on his career, despite only being 28.

But behind the cheeky grin, there's a fire burning in Lealiifano's belly to tick off the goals he's got on the field.

"Man, I'm getting too old to not win [a Super Rugby title] and I'm really excited about the future," Lealiifano said.

"I'm definitely driven to win Super Rugby. This organisation deserves it. I feel like we owe it to Canberra to bring home a title."