Queanbeyan junior Colby Faingaa hopes a move to Melbourne will relaunch his career and the decision to align his contract with the rest of Australia's flankers will prevent him being frozen out of the Super Rugby market.
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Faingaa will get a chance to impress his new club when he lines up against the Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.
Faingaa was outstanding in the Brumbies' win last weekend despite being in the starting XV for just the second time in two years.
At the end of the campaign he will leave the capital to begin a one-year deal with the Rebels.
Faingaa's contract has been out of sync with Super Rugby's premier Australian flankers, including his former Australian under 20s teammates Michael Hooper and Liam Gill, Queensland's Beau Robinson and Force No. 7 Chris Alcock.
But Faingaa has backed himself by committing to the Rebels for just one season, hoping it will give him more options when all flankers come off contract at the end of next season.
Faingaa was Australian under 20s captain in 2011, but injuries stalled his rise, while Hooper and Gill have played for the Wallabies. ''It was a massive relief to officially sign with the Rebels because it is your job and if you can't find another one you have to go into an office job or something,'' Faingaa said.
''We found this year it was tough to negotiate because everyone already had a No. 7 in their squad for next year.
''It's going to be different playing against the Rebels, but the most important thing for me is the Brumbies and trying to get a spot in the finals.''
The Rebels' future is murky, with uncertainty surrounding coach Damien Hill, and stars Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor weighing up their contract options.
But Faingaa is unfazed and believes he can become a leader in Melbourne. He is the third Faingaa brother to begin with the Brumbies before heading interstate for more game time.
Anthony and Saia Faingaa left at the end of 2008 to link with the Queensland Reds.
Injuries to David Pocock and George Smith opened the door for Faingaa to inject himself back into Super Rugby. Replacing two of Australia's greatest openside flankers is a daunting task, but Faingaa says he is ready to be a vital cog for the Brumbies.
''It's unreal to be in the position we are and it's exciting,'' Faingaa said.
''I want to make a name for myself and I don't think I will be able to get to the level I want to be at if I'm on the bench behind Pocock.
''I'm grateful for the opportunity I've had to learn [from Pocock], but I've still got a lot of opportunities ahead of me.''
