Before he makes his Super Rugby starting debut for the Brumbies against the Kings on Friday night, Siliva will go through his usual pre-game ritual. On the strapping on his left-wrist he will write ''Mum + Dad'' and the letters HP - representing the tough Melbourne suburb of Hampton Park where he grew up and his family still lives.

''It's a ghetto suburb,'' Siliva said. ''It's not the nicest or most comfortable suburb in Melbourne, but I like to remember where I came from.

''It's rough on the edges, a bit of bullying and violence and things like that.

''My mum and dad made a lot of sacrifices, especially because there were six children. They'd work overtime at their jobs and drive long distances just for one training session. When they need help [with money], I do help out.

''It definitely means a lot to them as well; it eases the pain and the burden of their financial situation because they're still raising five kids at home.

''It feels good that I can help them out … their sacrifices got me here and now I can repay them.''

Siliva will be injected into the Brumbies starting team for the clash with the Southern Kings at Canberra Stadium, with Wallabies rake Stephen Moore moving to the bench.

His factory-working parents, Viliamu and Suega, made his rugby goals a priority, and Siliva says his Super Rugby opportunity is his chance to repay them.

It ends a frustrating period for the former Australian junior representative, whose career was almost derailed by injuries.

Brumbies coach Jake White recruited Siliva last year with a view for the future and being the man to take over from Moore.

But the 21-year-old's first campaign was a disaster. He had a knee reconstruction before arriving in Canberra and then needed two follow-up operations. When he finally got fit, he injured ligaments in his ankle playing club rugby for Royals.

Siliva was part of the Australian under-20s team that included Nic White, Michael Hooper and Colby Faingaa in 2011.

''I deliberately went across to Perth and signed him; he's a great talent and people haven't seen how good he is because of the injury he had last year,'' White said.

''Part of the Australian succession plan and the Brumbies' succession plan is to take Siliva, who was a star as a junior hooker, and bring him into this program.''

After spending two years in the Australian under-20s program, Siliva has his sights set on the Wallabies after making his name in Super Rugby.

He is the fittest he has been and ready for his opportunity to shine and build on his six caps.

''It was definitely a setback with the injuries, but I don't think I went backwards,'' Siliva said.

''It's good Jake can see me as a future part of the Brumbies, and this is exciting to show what has been promised from everything people have said about how I can play and what I can do … now I've got to go out and do it.

''The injuries were tough, the pain was bad and I couldn't do much. It just wasn't working. I had a couple of dark moments, but knowing you're young and you'll get better kept me going, and now I'm here and can't wait for this moment.''