Pocock also claims the Brumbies are underdogs as they prepare to to play against the defending champion NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday.

As revealed in Fairfax Media, former Wallabies captain Pocock will play his second game of the season from the bench after recovering from ankle ligament damage.

Pocock has battled through more than two years of injury woes after moving to Canberra for the 2013 season, having two knee reconstructions and playing just six games for the Brumbies.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham is putting faith in back-row duo Vaea and Butler to take on the Waratahs, easing Pocock into action from the bench.

"Ita Vaea and Jarrad Butler have been outstanding, I don't see any way you could drop them after the last four or five performances," Pocock said on ABC Canberra.

"[The ankle] is feeling good ... we had a fairly brutal session [on Wednesday] and to get through that gave me a lot of confidence."

Vaea and Butler have formed a back-row partnership in Pocock's month-long rehabilitation, and they will hold on to their spots for at least one more week.

The Brumbies have won four of their first five games this season, including a 29-0 rout against the Queensland Reds last weekend.

They have scored 18 tries in their five games and conceded just three to be 10 points clear at the top of the Australian conference.

The Waratahs are still finding their rhythm after winning their inaugural Super Rugby title last year, but will be intent on continuing the Brumbies Sydney woes on Sunday.

The Brumbies have failed to score more than eight points per game in their past three matches in Sydney while the Waratahs have won 10 of their past 11 games at home.

Pocock warned that the Brumbies would need to lift their physicality if they want to reverse their Sydney trend.

"The Waratahs are probably the most physical team in the competition and [the game] will definitely be a big step up from anything we've had over the last few weeks," Pocock said.

"There's a lot of history between the Tahs and the Brumbies and that runs pretty deep. Our focus has been on trying to improve little aspects of our game.

"It's a huge opportunity for us, we go up as underdogs. The Tahs at home...they haven't lost too many in Sydney. They're starting to play some pretty good rugby."

Pocock's bench spot will delay a match up with incumbent Wallabies openside flanker and skipper Michael Hooper.

And despite having the perfect chance to impress Test coach Michael Cheika, who doubles as the Waratahs mentor, Pocock said World Cup selection wouldn't add extra motivation to his comeback game.

"You can't think like that [about Wallabies], my approach has always been that you focus on playing well for your Super Rugby team and the rest will take care of itself.

"You can't go out there trying to prove yourself for Wallabies five weeks into the season."

Pocock is the only change Larkham has made to the game-day squad for the Australian derby match.

Fotu Auelua and Jesse Mogg have returned to full training, but both are building their fitness before returning to Super Rugby.

SUPER RUGBY ROUND SIX

Sunday: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, 4.05pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2.

Brumbies team: 15. Robbie Coleman, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Joseph Tomane, 10. Matt Toomua, 9. Nic White, 8. Ita Vaea, 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. Ruan Smith, 18. Jean-Pierre Smith, 19. David Pocock, 20. Jordan Smiler, 21. Michael Dowsett, 22. Lausii Taliauli, 23. James Dargaville