Fairfax Media can reveal Vaea has secured a shock berth on the Brumbies bench for the season opener against the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium.

It comes more than two years after scans found life-threatening blood clots on his heart and he was put on blood-thinning medication that limited his physical activity to walking around the block at "a granny's pace".

But despite being told he could have had a stroke or even died on the field, Vaea never gave up his dream of playing for the Brumbies again.

"I'm 100 per cent in the clear, I will never doubt myself. I always told myself that I was going to play," Vaea told Fairfax Media.

"I always believed I was going to play, even when people around me doubted that I could play. I believed I could give it one more crack and here we go, another chance with the Brumbies. It hasn't sunk in."

Vaea's inclusion is bad news for the Reds, with the Tongan powerhouse ready to unleash two years of frustration and his trademark aggression on anyone daring to stand in his way.

He rocketed into Super Rugby calculations following superb form in trial matches and Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has given him a chance to revive his career on a temporary contract.

Vaea put on 30 kilograms when he had to stop training to allow his body time to recover from the clots.

He dropped 20 kilograms in the first few months after being given a medical clearance last year and has shed another eight kilograms in recent weeks.

An injury to Fotu Auelua opened the door for Vaea's return and he turned down a chance to play in France to give Super Rugby "one more crack".

The 26-year-old was once likened to Wallabies great Toutai Kefu because of his power game.

"And I feel like everything is back. I've never been injured and then the first time it happens it almost forces me to hang up my boots and retire," Vaea said.

"I just want to pull on the Brumbies jersey. It means a lot to me. But this isn't about me. This is about the team to make sure we do the job for the jersey. On the bench in round one ... I didn't think I'd be there."

Former Wallabies captain David Pocock will make his comeback from two knee reconstructions in the same game as Vaea's milestone.

"But [Vaea's return] is far more impressive than any knee reconstruction. He was literally told he wouldn't exercise again, that he had to take it easy," Pocock said.

"It's been a hard road back. Everyone loves him, he's one of the favourites here and everyone is pretty stoked for him. To see him get that opportunity is amazing."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE

Friday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available at Ticketek.