But Pocock says he must first focus on his ACT club form and filling the ''big boots'' of champion George Smith.

Pocock will return from a knee reconstruction when he captains the Brumbies in a pre-season trial against Otago in Queenstown on Friday. He has taken recovery advice from Wallabies great Tim Horan and incumbent Test stars Ben Mowen, Will Genia and Matt Toomua, who have all battled back from serious knee injuries.

But it is the off-field mentoring from Smith last year that will be Pocock's secret weapon as he aims to return in career-best form. Pocock, who captained Australia in 2012, said he would not be distracted by talk he could become the next Wallabies skipper, following Mowen's shock decision to quit Australian rugby at the end of this year.

''It's all mental now. I'm nervous, but I'm more excited,'' he said of his comeback. ''The rehab has been so long I'm pretty confident in what I've done and that I can step back up to that level.

''Once you've done all the work, it's about getting over that last little hurdle and getting back into some form. That's my goal and I'm excited about it. I'm not thinking about the Wallabies, [Hooper] has really made that No.7 jumper his own. So for me, my focus is just playing well for the Brumbies.''

Another injured Wallabies representative, Pat McCabe, will make his comeback in the same game, having broken his neck twice in seven months.

Pocock's injury caused him to miss two career moments - the British and Irish Lions series and the Super Rugby finals with the Brumbies. Despite a distinguished individual record, he is yet to contest the finals of Super Rugby. In his absence, Smith returned to Australian rugby and the Brumbies.

''It was just vintage George Smith,'' Pocock said. ''He had all the tricks and great balance of the game, it was genius to get him back. I guess it's big boots to fill, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

''[Not playing with Smith] is one of the biggest disappointments for me last year. I definitely learnt a lot from him.

''There's no hiding from the opportunities I missed last year, but you've got to move on. To go so close and miss out, it's made the team hungrier, but we also have to deal with more expectation now.''

The Brumbies will take 27 players to Queenstown, but will rest their Wallabies representatives. Pocock will play 40 minutes in Friday's trial, but Brumbies director of rugby Laurie Fisher does not expect him to take long to find his feet. ''I think [Pocock] could turn up and play well off no trial time, that's the sort of player he is,'' Fisher said. ''He's got an instinct to be hard at the ball and be combative. He doesn't need trial form.''

The Brumbies will also trial four young guns at Super Rugby level, by giving Canberra club players Tom Staniforth, Matt Hawke, Rodney Iona and Michael Smith a chance to impress.

''I'm very, very nervous. It's my first taste so I'm excited and looking forward to it,'' Australian under-20s star Staniforth said.

Brumbies squad: David Pocock (capt), Allan Alaalatoa, Fotu Auelua, Jarrad Butler, Sam Carter, Robbie Coleman, Lionel Cronje, Michael Dowsett, Matt Hawke, Conrad Hoffman, Rod Iona, Josh MannRea, Pat McCabe, Lachlan McCaffery, Leon Power, Clyde Rathbone, Siliva Siliva, Scott Sio, Andrew Smith, JP Smith, Michael Smith, Ruan Smith, Henry Speight, Tom Staniforth, Haru Tatekawa, Jack Whetton, Stephan van der Walt.