An accidental knee to the head has given the ACT Brumbies confidence X-factor recruit Toni Pulu is ready to restart his Australian career and help cause a major upset on Saturday.
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Pulu is one of eight additions to the Brumbies' game-day squad which is aiming for a breakthrough win when it plays the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch.
Allan Alaalatoa returns from a wrist injury, Darcy Swain and Murray Douglas get their first start for the Brumbies and Josh Mann-Rea ends a 13-month wait to return to the No. 2 jersey.
David Pocock is still unavailable and Scott Sio, Rory Arnold and Folau Faingaa have been rested as per the Brumbies' agreement with Rugby Australia to rotate Wallabies players.
The quartet's absence makes the Brumbies' task even more daunting considering they haven't won in Christchurch since 2000 and haven't won anywhere in New Zealand since 2014.
The addition of Pulu is a welcome boost seven weeks after he fractured his cheekbone just 10 minutes into his Brumbies debut and was taken to The Canberra Hospital before the game had finished.
The former Waikato Chiefs winger has been plagued by injuries in his 32-game career, but is on the Wallabies' World Cup radar despite the disrupted start to his Brumbies days.
Pulu is regarded as one of the fastest players in Super Rugby and the Brumbies plan to use his speed to throw an attacking onslaught at the Crusaders.
"We've got to go over there with the mindset to play some footy and hopefully [the Brumbies' wingers and fullback] benefit from that," said Brumbies coach Dan McKellar.
"I've had a good chat to Toni before we made the final decision around selection. He's really confident, he copped a knee to the face at training so he understands he's fully recovered.
"He's due for some luck. Just his speed, his vision and his experience over there - he's played in Christchurch more than any of us.
"He's got gas, genuine speed. If he gets the ball in open space, it's put your glasses down. He'd have to be close to the quickest in the competition. But he's also a footballer, he identifies space well and communicates well."
McKellar has made sweeping changes to his side as the Brumbies try to get their season back on track after a woeful loss in their last-start loss to the Queensland Reds.
Sam Carter has been dropped to the bench, Vunipola Fifita could make his debut from the bench in Sio's absence and Alaalatoa returns to the tighthead prop position.
Alaalatoa missed two games after dislocating his wrist and damaging ligaments, but he was cleared of a major setback which could have seen him miss up to two months.
The Brumbies are sweating on Pocock's return from a calf problem given the star flanker has played just one of seven games this year after being concussed in round one and then re-injuring his calf.
It is hoped he will be fit to play against the Johannesburg Lions in Canberra next week as well as joining the team for a two-game tour of South Africa and Argentina.
The silver lining to the injury woes is that Pocock and Alaalatoa have now fulfilled their Wallabies resting time and Sio, Faingaa and Arnold are halfway through their rotation.
"It's huge having Allan back. I'm not sure he even realises how important he is to the team - a quality leader and a very good tighthead prop who just works hard," McKellar said.
"There's no rocks and diamonds with Al. He's performance is always very good. We're very confident and comfortable with the boys we've brought in.
"Josh Mann-Rea is as good a scrummager as anyone and Slipper and Allan are internationals."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND EIGHT
Saturday: Canterbury Crusaders v ACT Brumbies at Christchurch, 3.15pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Murray Douglas, 6. Pete Samu, 7. Tom Cusack, 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. Connal McInerney, 17. Vunipola Fifita, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Sam Carter, 20. Jahrome Brown, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23. Andy Muirhead.
Crusaders: 1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Quinten Strange, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Kieran Read, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Richie Mounga, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Tim Bateman, 14. Will Jordan, 15. David Havili. Reserves: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Harry Allan, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Sam Whitelock, 20. Jordan Taufua, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Brett Cameron, 23. Leicester Faingaanuku.
