World Cup hopeful Henry Speight has vowed to lift his game to ensure he can handle the extra defensive workload as he makes a midfield shift in a bid to rediscover the form that led to his Wallabies debut.
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But Speight says he's not interested in a battle with Tevita Kuridrani for a permanent switch to outside centre, insisting he will be happy to move back to the wing when his Fijian partner returns from a shoulder injury.
ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has put faith in Speight moving into the No.13 jersey to fill the void left by blockbusting star Kuridrani, who will miss the next six weeks with a shoulder injury.
It's a role Speight is relishing as he goes in search of more ball and muscles up in defence to ensure the Brumbies don't suffer in Kuridrani's absence.
"It's a really crucial position, I'll have my work cut out with the [Free State Cheetahs] back line, but my job is to hit the gain line and I'm excited about the challenge," Speight said.
"I'll get a bit more ball and have a bit more work in defence, that's an exciting prospect.
"I'm still trying to get my form back up to be honest. I haven't had much ball or opportunity, once I hit my straps attack wise I feel I have to balance that with a good defensive work load.
"Tevita always breaks the line or gets metres when he gets the ball so I'm going in with the same mentality this weekend."
Speight is expecting the Cheetahs to send plenty of traffic his way to test his capability in the midfield.
Larkham wants the Brumbies to be harder in defence after they missed 33 tackles in a 28-13 loss to the NSW Waratahs two weeks ago.
The 33 missed tackles was more than three times the usual amount.
"That was unacceptable ... we have to be more consistent in everything we do," Larkham said.
"We made a number of tackles but I think in passage of play we missed five all on Israel Folau.
"The Cheetahs towelled us up in South Africa last year ... they can turn it on week to week and their set-piece attack is some of the best in world rugby."
Speight has played all of his 63 games for the Brumbies on the wing, scoring 22 tries and establishing himself as one of the best speedsters in Australia.
The Fijian-born flyer made his Test debut for Australia last year after a drawn out eligibility battle.
He has also set his sights on World Cup selection this season, but he says his move to the centres is only temporary.
"Tevita is too good of a player to replace, I just want to do my bit for the team," Speight said.
"We all know it's just a temporary thing and ideally I'd like to be on the field with Tev every time. He's got big shoes to fill, literally.
"I'll try to hold the No. 13 jersey until he gets back ... I've played there a few times in high school and some club rugby in New Zealand, but not since then."
The Cheetahs are one of the most dangerous attacking teams in Super Rugby, but they have failed to hit peak form this year.
They have scored 15 tries and conceded 24, giving them the worst defensive record in the competition.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND EIGHT
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Free State Cheetahs at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Brumbies team: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Ben Alexander, 4. Blake Enever, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Scott Fardy, 7. David Pocock, 8. Jarrad Butler, 9. Nic White, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Joseph Tomane, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Henry Speight, 14. James Dargaville, 15. Robbie Coleman. Reserves:16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Jordan Smiler, 20. Ita Vaea, 21. Michael Dowsett, 22. Nigel Ah Wong, 23. Lausii Taliauli.
