Kuridrani will square off with mate Henry Speight in round one next year after Speight defected to the Queensland Reds in the off-season.

The pair became close friends in Canberra and have spent the bulk of their respective careers playing alongside each other at outside centre and wing for the ACT Brumbies and the Wallabies.

But the January 31 showdown was the furthest thing from Kuridrani's mind as he sat with sick children at The Canberra Hospital.

Kuridrani and the Brumbies broke from an intense week of pre-season training to change pace and hand out gifts to those in need.

It's part of the Brumbies' decision to spend more time in the community this year at the directive of coach Dan McKellar, who has made Wednesday afternoon a time for activities outside of rugby.

"It's humbling to come here and give them presents before Christmas," Kuridrani said. "One of the things we really want to work on this year was to engage with the community and to make them come to our games.

"We maybe dropped off a few years ago, but we really want to get that back with Canberra this year."

The battle against Speight will add excitement to the first game of a new season, with the Brumbies to host the Reds on January 31. Speight was one of the most popular players at the Brumbies, but moved to Brisbane after signing a two-year deal to be closer to family.

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"I haven't thought about it," Kuridrani grinned. "I'll get through the next couple of weeks and then start looking at the season when we come back [to training]."

Kuridrani was one of four players to return to Brumbies training this week after a two-month break after the World Cup campaign.

The barnstorming No. 13 played just once at the tournament after former Test coach Michael Cheika opted to use James O'Connor at outside centre.

It was a surprise move given Kuridrani enjoyed one of his best seasons last year, playing every minute of 17 games and scoring seven tries off the back of his first full pre-season in six years.

This pre-season will be shorter, but he's still determined to hit the ground running.

"I had a good break and now I'm coming in ready to go, I feel really refreshed to start again," Kuridrani said.

"I'll use this next two weeks [of break] to keep training because the season starts earlier and I want to be ready."

Kuridrani signed a one-year extension to stay in Canberra for at least the 2020 season and he will help guide young guns Len Ikitau and Guy Porter.

The Brumbies will need the 28-year-old to step up as a leader next year after the loss of Speight, David Pocock, Christian Lealiifano and Sam Carter.

The softly-spoken Kuridrani will be the most experienced player in the Brumbies' back line, while a quartet of Wallabies in Scott Sio, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa and Folau Faingaa will lead the forward pack.

All are back at training and Sio said the hospital visit was the perfect way to stay grounded.

"Hopefully we can put some smiles on faces. These kid are going through a lot tougher times than we are, so if we can make them happier it will be great," Sio said.