The players were hit with a double blow this week before their clash against the Japan Sunwolves, first losing David Pocock and then being told Henry Speight was joining the Queensland Reds.

The loss of two such influential teammates could be a distraction so close to the play-offs, but captain Christian Lealiifano said the players were already planning to use the news to give them something extra to play for.

"It's obviously sad to hear that we're going to be losing two club legends. But for us I think we've just been able to concentrate on what's in front of us," Lealiifano said.

"We want to enjoy the time we have together because it's going to come to an end soon. We'll make the most of each day ... it's a little bit motivating too to hopefully send them out on a positive note and hopefully continue the form we've got.

"We don't want to lose sight of what we're trying to achieve. It gives it perspective, sometimes these things happen. And for now we'll enjoy having them around.

"They've been so good to not make it anything about them. Poey has contributed off the field to us this week and Henry will just turn up and deliver. They've been fantastic."

There could be more changes to follow in the coming weeks, with Lealiifano one of a handful of players yet to make a decision on their playing future.

BRUMBIES NEWS

Sam Carter and Rory Arnold are departing, but Lachlan McCaffrey and Matt Lucas joined a host of other Brumbies in re-committing in the past week.

The Brumbies will be chasing four consecutive wins for the first time since 2016 when they play in Tokyo.

Lealiifano and his teammates have roared back into form over the past eight weeks, losing just one game since the start of April.

It has ignited their chances of getting back into the finals and they have showed signs of being a genuine contender by being able to win games with different styles.

They played ugly to beat the Auckland Blues. They played expansive rugby to beat the Sunwolves three weeks ago and the Pretoria Bulls last week.

"The way we've been able to adapt in games ... we've found ways to win or adjust to hold us in good stead.

"We're continually trying to put our game out there and we've got that little bit of momentum. To be able to adapt and tweak where we need to, that's positive and that gives me and the group a lot of confidence," Lealiifano said.

"We want to be able to produce games we're proud of. We're working on that each week and that's helping us, for sure."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND 16

Saturday: Japan Sunwolves v ACT Brumbies at Tokyo, 3.15pm.

Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Tom Cusack, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Pete Samu, 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. Scott Sio, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Rob Valetini, 21. Lachlan McCaffrey, 22. Matt Lucas, 23. Tom Wright.

Sunwolves: 1. Alex Woonton, 2. Nathan Vella, 3. Takuma Asahara, 4. Mark Abbott, 5. Tom Rowe, 6. Yoshitaka Tokunaga, 7. Dan Pryor, 8. Ben Gunter, 9. Jamie Booth, 10. Hayden Parker, 11. Hosea Saumaki, 12. Phil Burleigh, 13. Jason Emery, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 15. Semisi Masirewa. Reserves: 16. Jaba Bregvadze, 17. Masatak Mikami, 18. Conan O'Donnell, 19. Yuya Odo, 20. Kara Pryor, 21. Keisuke Uchida, 22. Takuya Yamasawa, 23. Timothy Lafaele.