Former NRL player Tom Wright is set to rocket into starting XV contention to play against the Melbourne Rebels after scoring his first Super Rugby try last weekend.
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Wright is one of several players ACT Brumbies coach Dan McKellar is considering in the hope of sparking a former turnaround and ending a three-match losing streak against their Melbourne rivals.
Sam Carter, Rob Valetini and Henry Speight are likely to be considered for recalls, while Wright is on the verge of making his starting debut after leaving the NRL to return to rugby this year.
The schoolboy rugby star was lured to rugby league by Manly and played four games last year, but the chance to join the Brumbies this year proved too good to turn down.
He is expected to get the tough job of trying to steer the Brumbies to victory from as the new inside centre, partnering Christian Lealiifano as playmakers to turnaround a 30-point belting in New Zealand last week.
The Brumbies have won one of their first three games this year and have beaten the Rebels just twice in the past seven matches between the clubs.
Samu isn't used to losing in Super Rugby. He won 29 games in a row when playing for the Canterbury Crusaders, winning two championships before linking with the Brumbies.
The Brumbies' round-one loss against Melbourne was Samu's first Super Rugby defeat since the end of the 2016 season.
"I didn't know until the week after [we lost], I hadn't heard about it. It didn't feel weird or anything like that, the boys were in high spirits after that loss [against the Rebels," Samu said.
"We were just focused on the next game. I don't take much focus into [individual records]."
Samu and David Pocock were effective at the breakdown last week, both forcing four pilfers each. But the Brumbies lost just as much of their own possession at the breakdown, stifling their attack.
"We've definitely reviewed that around the breakdown area and it's definitely something we know the Rebels are going to bring, so we've been working on that," Samu said.
"If we want to play a bit of open rugby, it will be up to us. It's going to be a tight game as it was in round one."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND FOUR
Friday: Melbourne Rebels v ACT Brumbies at AAMI Park, 7.45pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.
