The ACT Brumbies are hoping to turn short-term pain into Super Rugby success this season, coach Dan McKellar confident his team can evolve into a serious attacking unit to return to the finals.
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But McKellar has warned "it won't be all roses" when they start their campaign on Friday and look to use the end of last season as a building block for a Canberra rugby revival.
"What excites me? There's plenty to be excited about," McKellar grins.
"Seeing what we've learnt over the past 12 months and seeing that transfer [into the way we play], that excites me.
"I think what we're doing off the field, and the environment we're creating for the players, excites me as well. We've spoken a lot about being a group who looks back on their careers with fond memories.
"We're all about that. We want to create memories. But most of all it's about seeing the continual evolution and growth of our game. We have to be realistic, it won't be all roses. We'll make mistakes.
"But as long as we keep understanding errors are opportunities, and we grow, that's the big thing."
McKellar is about to start his second season as a Super Rugby head coach. He endured an up-and-down rookie campaign, finishing just short of the finals despite a late-season charge.
The Brumbies board believes the team showed enough to suggest a bright future and is set to reward McKellar with a two-year contract extension on the eve of the first game of the season.
It's a timely boost for McKellar and his players. It's recognition of the path McKellar wants them to follow and reinforces the belief they've been steadily building.
"I sat here last year and thought I was comfortable as well, but you definitely are [more comfortable] in a second season," McKellar said.
"You learn so much from one year to the next ... I'm really comfortable in my role within the squad. Comfortable with the staff, the buy-in we've got in the staff."
The Brumbies have slipped into the background in the conversation about who will win the Australian conference this season.
The Melbourne Rebels have stacked their team with Wallabies, the NSW Waratahs have a star-studded roster and the Queensland Reds believe Brad Thorn has whipped the squad into shape.
The Brumbies have been quietly going about their business. McKellar has recruited Wallabies James Slipper and Pete Samu, as well as flying winger Toni Pulu, to add to an already strong roster.
The coaches have also shuffled jobs. McKellar will oversee the program and look after the lineout and maul, while Laurie Fisher is taking charge of defence for the first time in his 20-year career.
But the biggest trigger for change last season was an honest review by the players. McKellar had been trying to express the way he wanted the team to play, but he put the onus on the players to take charge of planning, preparation and reviews.
It seemed to work. The Brumbies went on to win four of the last six games of the season, snapping a two-year drought against New Zealand opponents and giving hope for the future.
McKellar then invited the players to give their input in the end-of-season review, something vice-captain David Pocock says has empowered the squad.
"I've been really impressed with the program, I feel like Dan McKellar is so open to feedback and wanting to improve," Pocock said.
"That's incredibly exciting as a player when you see your coach is like that. It makes you also want to be the best you can be."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE
Friday: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm.
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. David Pocock, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Toni Pulu, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Wharenui Hawera, 23. Andy Muirhead.
Rebels: 1. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Luke Jones, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Will Genia, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Billy Meakes, 13. Tom English, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Esei Haangana, 20. Brad Wilkin, 21. Rob Leota, 22. Michael Ruru, 23. Semisi Tupou.
