The former rugby league young gun will make his ACT Brumbies comeback in the clash against the Waikato Chiefs on Saturday after back to back suspensions ruined his first season in Canberra.

Peni hasn't played a Super Rugby match since April last year, when he was slapped with a seven-week ban for a high tackle on Israel Dagg.

He served his time and hoped to find form in club rugby, but was hit with a six-week suspension in his first game for Wests after a lifting tackle.

But Peni is primed for a return to the top level after making his way back on to the field during the National Rugby Championship and scoring an almost length-of-the-field try in a Brumbies trial last month.

He has rocketed back into the Brumbies starting side for round two after Toni Pulu (cheekbone), Henry Speight (hip) and Lausii Taliauli (knee) were ruled out of selection contention.

"There was a whole lot of energy, enthusiasm and probably a bit of frustration there [in the trial game]. He's keen and ready to go, we just don't want to get him too excited too quickly," said Brumbies coach Dan McKellar.

"We're fortunate that if you lose three wingers you've got someone like Chance to come on.

"When he was sent off [while playing for] Wests, you've just got to support him and be there for him, understand that there's always a positive lining to it.

"He understands he's got to make a couple of adjustments around tackle technique and making sure he gets those right. He's done a lot of work on it in the background and we're comfortable he'll perform well.

"Just being a good, low dominant tackler. Positional play, anticipating where he needs to be quickly because [any tackling issues] have been about timing. He's certainly got a load of talent, ability, and he's a try-scorer.

"He gets a chance now that probably a week ago he didn't see coming. So I'm pleased for him and excited."

The Brumbies have made three changes to their starting side this week, as well as adding former NRL player Tom Wright to the bench.

Tom Cusack moves to openside flanker to replace David Pocock, while Peni and Andy Muirhead replace Speight and Pulu.

It is hoped Pocock, Taliauli and Speight will be available for selection next week, but Pulu will miss between six and eight weeks after having surgery to repair his cheekbone.

The Brumbies are excited to see Wright in action after the former Australian junior rugby star switched to rugby league and joined Manly when he left school.

Cusack also gets his opportunity in the back row, with McKellar opting to promote him straight to the No. 7 jersey and leave Pete Samu on the bench.

"I thought Pete did a great job coming off the bench last week in a position he hasn't had a lot of time training in," McKellar said.

"Tommy Cusack and Pocock are our two No. 7s in the squad. Tommy brings a whole lot energy and enthusiasm, repeat efforts and communication, which we're going to need against the Chiefs."

The Brumbies haven't beaten the Chiefs since 2014, and their hopes of making the finals last year were shattered by the Hamilton-based side when they lost a trans-Tasman clash in the second last game of the regular season.

The Chiefs have added attacking genius Damian McKenzie to their starting side after he missed the opening game of the season with an ankle injury. The visitors will have extra motivation for the match, which doubles as captain Brodie Retallick's 100th Super Rugby game.

"As a team we want this to be a memorable occasion for Brodie and we want to pull together a performance befitting this milestone on the field come Saturday night," said Chiefs coach Colin Cooper.

SUPER RUGBY ROUND TWO

Saturday: ACT Brumbies v NSW Women at 5pm; ACT Brumbies v Waikato Chiefs at 7.45pm. Both games at Canberra Stadium. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Chance Peni, 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. Tom Wright.

Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Nathan Harris, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Michael Allardice, 6. Mitchell Brown, 7. Lachlan Boshier, 8. Tyler Ardron, 9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Tumua Manu, 14. Ataata Moeakiola, 15. Shaun Stevenson. Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Tevita Mafileo, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Taleni Seu, 20. Mitchell Karpik, 21. Jonathan Taumateine, 22. Orbyn Leger, 23. Bailyn Sullivan.