That's why Sam Carter says it makes perfect sense for Lealiifano to step straight back into a captaincy role for the Super Rugby season less than a year after going into remission.

Carter and Lealiifano will team up as Brumbies co-captains this year, continuing the partnership they started last season, albeit in drastically different circumstances.

Lealiifano was in Melbourne last year being monitored by doctors twice a week following a bone-marrow transplant when he was named in the Brumbies' leadership duo.

Fast-forward 12 months and a beaming Lealiifano was back at Brumbies headquarters being unveiled next to Carter and ready to take the next step in his journey.

"It's been a massive journey. I guess this is something I'm humbled by and really proud to be able to stand here now and be full-time in the squad," Lealiifano said.

"Hopefully I can really help try to take this team forward. Obviously there were difficult situations last year, but it's really special to be named as a leader even though I wasn't around the place.

"Hopefully that effect can help the team galvanise. To have the team's support through [last year] and even the new guys now supporting me is special."

Carter was thrust into the captaincy role last year after the departure of Stephen Moore and Lealiifano's illness left a leadership hole at the Brumbies.

He admits he had sleepless nights thinking about what to say and how to act before his first match as skipper, but grew into the job and led the Brumbies into the Super Rugby play-offs.

Carter shouldered most of the workload as Lealiifano continued his recovery as a waterboy and eventually making his comeback in a finals clash against the Wellington Hurricanes.

But Lealiifano's on and off the field always gave Carter a sense of comfort and security.

"The biggest thing that I took out of what [Lealiifano] went through last year was how he held himself," Carter said.

"No matter what kind of day he had or what he went through, he always put others first. He would always have a smile on his face because he didn't want to show pain or anything like that.

"He always wanted to make sure you were all right, he was giving instead of taking. That was a massive inspiration for me.

"That's why it's a complete non-issue for me if he's leading the team on the field or if I'm leading the team on the field, because I know at the end of the day it's about the best interest of what we're doing together.

"It gave me massive perspective last year. No one idea I had training could ever compare what Christian went through. You can draw inspiration from everything he's done."

Lealiifano returned to Canberra last week after a 16-game stint with Irish club Ulster. The chance to play abroad gave him an opportunity to escape the Australian rugby bubble and get back to his best on the field.

He will play a massive role in the Brumbies' hopes of making the Super Rugby finals for a sixth consecutive season - the longest play-off streak in the club's history.

The 30-year-old is also starting to weigh up his playing future and striking a flexible deal to stay in Canberra and sign an overseas contract could be an attractive option to extend his Australian career.

For now, Lealiifano is just focused on securing a Brumbies' starting XV spot for the first time since the end of 2016.

"I guess I'm more excited about what's to come with a new team and a new coach. It's more excitement than pressure," Lealiifano said.

"I've played a fair bit of footy, if you're playing at a high level and keeping it consistent, hopefully the team follows."

SUPER RUGBY TRIALS

February 3: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Seiffert Oval, 6pm

February 9-10: Brisbane 10s at Suncorp Stadium

February 14: ACT Brumbies v Waikato Chiefs at Sunshine Coast Stadium, 8pm (AEDT)