The ACT Brumbies say they will treat the inaugural Brisbane 10s like a Super Rugby match as players jostle for selection a blockbuster opening to the season.
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But the 27-man squad is bracing to shed kilograms in scorching conditions with temperatures set to reach 36 degrees in 50 per cent humidity.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham is yet to settle on his starting XV for the first game of the Super Rugby campaign against the Canterbury Crusaders on February 25.
Some players have been wrapped in cotton wool following injuries, including playmaker Wharenui Hawera, scrumhalf Joe Powell and props Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa.
Hawera and Powell are set to be the Brumbies' starting halves against the Crusaders.
But Larkham is faced with a back-row conundrum and players including Rob Valetini, Jordan Smiler, Tom Staniforth, Tom Cusack and Ben Hyne can use the 10s to launch their Super Rugby hopes.
"This is our final hit out for some guys, others are getting a rest so they're ready for round one," Larkham said.
"It is hard to match up form in 10-a-side rugby and Super Rugby. But there are always positions up for grabs, particularly in the second row and back row.
"We've got really good competition there at the moment so we'll be keeping a close eye on how they go."
Uncontracted players Brent Hamlin, Isaac Thompson and Andrew Muirhead have all been called into the Brumbies squad for the 10s for a chance to impress.
Larkham and dual international Andrew Walker will come out of retirement to be the Brumbies wildcard players in pool matches against the Otago Highlanders, French glamour club Toulon and the Blue Bulls of Pretoria.
The Brumbies finished runners up at the world club 10s in Mauritius last year after losing to the Western Force in the final.
That tournament doubled as a Super Rugby heartbreaker for Smiler, who tore his medial ligament and missed the Brumbies' finals campaign.
"I was a bit hesitant to do 10s again," Smiler grinned.
"But I love playing the 10s game and it's always exciting. You can't go out there not to win, we're going out there to be competitive.
"This tournament counts because you approach it how you would any game that you're playing.
"It's not 15-a-side rugby and it would be good to playing that format so close to the Super Rugby season, but it's still a game and a chance to get fit."
Wallabies lock Rory Arnold is playing 10s for the first time since taking part in a second-grade amateur tournament in Murwillumbah.
"I think I'll just give the ball early and let the backs do the work," Arnold said.
"I got through 60 minutes [in the Brumbies' trial against NSW], we'll see if we can build some momentum going into our first game against the Crusaders.
"We want to get a bit of combination out of this and hopefully build into the year. I can't get complacent, I have to push myself to get better each day. If I want to push towards playing Wallabies regularly, that's what I have to do."
BRISBANE GLOBAL 10s
Saturday: Brumbies v Highlanders at 2.57pm, Brumbies v Toulon at 6.01pm, Brumbies v Blue Bulls at 8.28pm. All times AEDT. Coverage on Fox Sports from 12.30pm to 10pm on Saturday and 10.30am to 8pm on Sunday.
Brumbies squad: Stephen Larkham (wildcard), Andrew Walker (wildcard), Rob Valetini, Henry Speight, Andrew Muirhead, Rory Arnold, Kyle Godwin, Saia Faingaa, Les Leuluaialii-Makin, James Dargaville, Nic Mayhew, Tom Cusack, Andrew Smith, Ben Hyne, Faalelei Sione, Isaac Thompson, Chris Alcock, Nigel Ah Wong, Blake Enever, Ben Alexander, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Tom Staniforth, Robbie Abel, Brent Hamlin, Aidan Toua, Jordan Smiler, Tom Banks.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE
February 25: Canterbury Crusaders v ACT Brumbies in Christchurch, 5.35pm.
