Kuridrani's breakthrough year with the Wallabies was halted when he was suspended for five-matches for an innocuous tip-tackle in the spring tour Test against Ireland in November.

The ban will prevent the 22-year-old from playing in any of the Brumbies' pre-season games, giving teammate Andrew Smith the inside running to start at outside centre for the ACT's opening Super Rugby match against Queensland on February 22.

Kuridrani admits he was devastated by the suspension and concedes he has some work to do to regain his starting spot with the Brumbies.

But the powerful Fijian's desire to buy his parents a new home in Brisbane is driving Kuridrani to reclaim his No.13 jersey with both the Brumbies and the Wallabies.

His parents' home was damaged in the 2011 Brisbane floods, with water rising to the roof level. ''All of our family is close, everything I do is for my family,'' Kuridrani said.

''They all came to my debut Test in Sydney [last year], and that was awesome, but mum and dad have been living back in Fiji for the last little while.

''I'm still planning to buy them a new house, hopefully by the end of the year.''

Kuridrani is back at pre-season training, but will miss trial matches against the Otago Highlanders in Queenstown and an ACT XV.

Kuridrani has played 26 Super Rugby games and earned 10 Wallabies Test caps last year.

But Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham admitted Kuridrani may have to start his 2014 campaign from the bench because of his missed pre-season opportunities.

''Tevita's rise is testament to his pre-season last year,'' Larkham said. ''He turned things around last year. The first season he was here in [2012], he had a few problems controlling the ball in contact.

''We knew he'd have a good year, and then he got a lot of confidence going on to the Wallabies. He cemented his position and looked comfortable there.''

The Brumbies will most likely promote Smith to the No.13 jersey for the season-opener.

Smith missed most of last year with injury, and his absence allowed Kuridrani to force his way into the Wallabies line-up.

''I've got to earn my spot back in the Brumbies, that's first, and then if it goes well keep developing this year to have another crack at the Wallabies,'' Kuridrani said.

''I'll have to wait for my opportunity to come again, because the boys have been working hard in pre-season.

''It was devastating with the suspension - I thought it was only going to be a week, but these things happen.''

Kuridrani spent his off-season holiday in Fiji.

He comes from the same Fijian village as former dual international Lote Tuqiri and former Canberra Raiders winger Noa Nadruku.

Kuridrani is hopeful he can play for the Wallabies alongside his Brumbies teammate, Fijian-born Henry Speight, this year.

Speight is still waiting for the IRB to finalise his Wallabies eligibility request.

Speight, the best Super Rugby winger in Australia for the past two years, could be available for the Wallabies as early as June, but the IRB could potentially delay his Test eligibility until November.

''I can't wait for Henry to be eligible - I think he can play on the wing for the Wallabies, and when he plays outside me he helps me a lot,'' Kuridrani said.

''I'm really looking forward to him hopefully getting a Wallabies jersey. For me, Henry should be there.''