What was supposed to be their time to shine as the Brumbies' generals quickly turned into a disaster.

First Toomua with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and then Lealiifano with a horrific dislocated ankle, the memory of which still makes his stomach churn.

But determined not to dwell on their missed opportunities, the comeback kids have used their time on the sidelines to become better players, better teammates and a combination capable of leading the Brumbies back to the glory years.

When they run out against the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night, it's the start of a redemption mission.

For the past nine months they have been in rehab together, trying to overcome their injuries and recapture the form that had them both on the verge of Wallabies selection.

According to Toomua, the easiest way to take a step into the future is to forget about the past. And the good news is both say they can return to the field and discover the best form of their careers.

"It was tough because I'd fought for four years to get the No. 10 jersey and I felt I well and truly had an opportunity to play there for the year," Toomua said.

"It's quite hard. Sometimes you resent what happened [with the injury] and you get annoyed at it.

"But I think you have to take it in your stride, I'm still 23 years old. I don't look back at it as a good year, but I can't change what happened.

"I don't feel the external pressure, I don't care what the perception outside is. For me, it's about reproving it to myself that I still deserve to be there."

Toomua was preparing for a lonely stint on the sidelines after his knee buckled under him while playing against the Durban Sharks in April.

A knee reconstruction ended his hopes of cementing the Brumbies' five-eighth spot.

In his absence, Lealiifano took the No. 10 jersey and led the Brumbies on a stunning run of form. But just a month later, Lealiifano's ankle got caught under a teammate and he was left on the field in agony against the NSW Waratahs.

All of a sudden, the Brumbies' two premier playmakers were in the rehab group together.

The Brumbies' five-eighth stocks were so low that coach Jake White even asked his assistant, Stephen Larkham, to come out of retirement to boost their finals bid.

But Lealiifano and Toomua's time together off the field helped them establish an even stronger bond.

Now they hope it transfers to the field.

"Matt was a massive part of helping me get through everything," Lealiifano said.

"He's a close mate and he was very, very supportive. Not only was he going through his own tough time, he was helping me through my tough time.

"That shows what type of guy he is. We were stuck and started thinking: what did we do wrong to be out for the year? But we helped each other through.

"To see him work back motivated me . . . we used each other as motivational tools and helped each other push through.

"We've got great staff who work you through rehab at the Brumbies and the entire playing group was great in helping you stay confident and get ready to be back out there."

In their glory years the Brumbies were blessed with great five-eighth-inside centre combinations.

Stephen Larkham teamed with Rod Kafer to help the team to the 2001 title before Larkham and Matt Giteau paired up for the 2004 championship.

With Pat McCabe out for at least the first month after fracturing his neck, Toomua and Lealiifano will get their chance at redemption.

Toomua has been on a Wallabies spring tour, but has not made his Test debut. Lealiifano would have certainly been included in Robbie Deans' squad last year had it not been for his injury. He played so well that despite missing the last month of the season, he still finished second in the Australian Super Rugby player of the year award.

"Christian has been here since I started at the Brumbies, he's a leader and he's one of our most valuable backs," Toomua said.

"Having him [play] outside you is great. I have to earn that right to play alongside him and in the No. 10. As well as he went last year I know he's even better than that.

"We don't need to be around each other every day, but he's the first person I go to if something deep happens. We had some heart-to-hearts and there's that mutual respect for each other.

"I'd like to think we can get a championship-winning combination. Everything is in place to do that. If we can stay on the field, I'm not going to say we'll win the comp, but I think we can play great footy."