Former Wallabies skipper David Pocock will take the first steps to his World Cup goal when he makes his comeback from two knee reconstructions on Friday night.
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He has been named as part of a strong ACT Brumbies squad to play the Western Force in Perth to start the team's pre-season preparations.
Pocock has played just five Super Rugby games in the past two seasons after his career was halted by serious knee injuries in 2013 and last year.
Regarded by many as one of the world's best players at his peak, he will take cautious steps in his recovery and the pursuit of World Cup selection at the end of the year.
The Brumbies will play just two pre-season games before the Super Rugby season begins, with Pocock and fellow vice-captain Nic White to lead the team in Stephen Moore's absence.
"I can't imagine what it would be like to go through [two] knee reconstructions, having gone through one," Moore said as Pocock was announced as a vice-captain.
"That's something that Dave has never complained about. He's trained and he's got on with it.
"You can see the physical shape he's in ... I think we shouldn't put too much pressure on him, just let him get out there and play again. It's been a while so it's up to us to get around him and help him."
The Brumbies are bracing for hot conditions in Perth, with a 5pm (local time) kick-off and 34 degrees forecast.
It will be a massive test for the new-look side, but coach Stephen Larkham will have Wallabies Matt Toomua, White, Christian Lealiifano, Joseph Tomane and Henry Speight in the squad.
"The year comes around quickly, but that's how I like it," said Brumbies and Wallabies playmaker Toomua.
"The season starts against the Queensland Reds at home but some pre-season games can put us in good stead. It's an opportunity for a lot of guys to wear the Brumbies jersey. It's a chance to start a big year on the right foot."
The Brumbies will roll out seven new players: Nigel Ah Wong, Rory Arnold, James Dargaville, Sean Doyle, Blake Enever, Jerome Niumata and Mitch Wade.
Larkham said: "We are going to Perth to win this match, to put the wheels in motion to get our season under way."
: Nigel Ah Wong, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Fotu Auelua, Jarrad Butler, Robbie Coleman, James Dargaville, Michael Dowsett, Sean Doyle, Blake Enever, Rod Iona, Jerome Niumata, Christian Lealiifano, Josh Mann-Rea, David Pocock, Scott Sio, Jordan Smiler, Jean-Pierre Smith, Ruan Smith, Henry Speight, Tom Staniforth, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Mitch Wade, Nic White.
BRUMBIES TRIALS
January 23: Western Force v ACT Brumbies at McGillivray Oval, Perth, 8pm.
January 31: Brumbies v Otago Highlanders in Wagga, 7pm.
The Brumbies will take a supporters' bus to the trial match in Wagga, which will leave Canberra at 3pm and return at midnight. Seats on the bus start from $40. For more information email J.Saunders@brumbies.com.au or call 6283 8516.
