And while most predicted they would fail, Speight said the blind faith Jake White showed in the untested Brumbies had propelled them to the cusp of a Super Rugby finals berth.

In just 12 months some of the Brumbies’ fringe players – including Speight, Andrew Smith, Michael Hooper and Nic White – have transformed into stars.

Few were expected to escape the train wreck campaign which saw the Brumbies endure their worst season in history last year.

But Speight said White’s fresh start reinvigorated him.

‘‘[White] made it clear it was a clean slate. No one was guaranteed anything and you had to work for what you wanted,’’ Speight said.

‘‘He has backed me to back myself and know I’m equal to my opposition and I can be better than them.

‘‘That’s what he’s driven into the squad, that we can be better than anyone.’’

It sounds like a simple recipe for success, but the results are evidence it works.

The Brumbies can secure their place in the finals for the first time since 2004 if they beat the Auckland Blues at Canberra Stadium this afternoon.

The turnaround from the ‘‘shambles’’ of last year is spectacular.

But individual players have also reached heights and performances no one thought possible before the season began.

Last year Speight, Smith and Hooper were passengers as the club struggled.

Speight was in his debut season and a regular starter when fit.

But even then he struggled to have a major impact.

Smith and Hooper played their roles largely from the bench and couldn’t find consistency.

That all changed when White took over.

Speight has become a dangerous strike weapon on the wing and is the leading try-scorer in the Australian conference.

Smith has cemented his place at outside centre and has been one of the most consistent performers, while Hooper has established himself as an international-standard flanker.

All three were part of the dismal campaign last year.

But they’ve regrouped and repaid White’s faith.

Add to that Nic White, Dan Palmer and Joseph Tomane being selected in the Wallabies as well as Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander and Pat McCabe, led by skipper Ben Mowen, and Jake White has created a solid base.

‘‘We had to forget about last year and try to prove ourselves to the new coach,’’ Fijian flyer Speight said.

‘‘Jake was happy for me to express myself on the field and not be afraid to have a go.

‘‘I’m grateful for the chances I’m getting . . . seeing guys like [Nic White and Michael Hooper] get picked in the Wallabies is a real confidence booster . . . there’s no limit for us.’’

White’s plan for a strong side is belief, opportunities, faith and a team-first approach.

He says that’s why they sit at the top of the Australian conference.

‘‘Our focus is not individual-based, it’s how we play as a team,’’ White said.

‘‘Every individual will get bonuses because of how we play as a team . . . everything is team driven and that’s where we want to go.

‘‘That’s what [the Brumbies] needed, someone to say it was the team first.’’

The Brumbies’ star-laden team won just four games last season.

They finished 13th on the ladder and struggled through a year dominated by off-field distractions.

White started changing that when he arrived in July last year and set about rebuilding the two-time champions.

Smith has reaped the rewards.

When the powerful back broke into the top side two years ago when he made his debut against the Blues, then coach Andy Friend described him as a ‘‘future great’’.

It’s only now he’s living up to the early expectations.

‘‘I did almost every session in the pre-season, [my] fitness and strength has improved and having the same guys around you helps as well,’’ Smith said.

‘‘I guess the last few years there were great players around, so I didn’t have the opportunities I’ve had this year.

‘‘Those years I was behind Adam Ashley-Cooper and Stirling Mortlock . . . I would have 20 minutes but not a full game so that’s been a big change.’’