The former Brumbies skipper returned to training last week and will continue to act as a mentor on an ad hoc basis during a coronavirus-forced stint back in Canberra.

The three players who stand to benefit the most are Noah Lolesio, Bayley Kuenzle and Reesjan Pasitoa, who were tasked with filling Lealiifano's giant-sized boots when he retired from Australian rugby at the end of last year.

Lealiifano's presence is perfectly timed for the Super Rugby AU competition, with the Brumbies to play the Melbourne Rebels on July 4 when the new domestic format begins.

Lolesio has emerged as a star of the future and bolted into an extended Wallabies game just six games into his career, while Kuenzle and Pasitoa are waiting for their opportunity to shine.

"They're all learning from each other and they've impressed me a lot, I've loved seeing Noah's growth," Lealiifano said.

"You can see that he's really starting to feel comfortable, really starting to make it his own. He's as sharp as ever and he's just starting to find his feet.

"The next three or four years he's going to really shine. Even after the session I had he was asking what I was seeing and how I could help. He's got that hunger to want to be better ... he wants to use all the experience around him. It's no surprise he's continually getting better, that's what I like about all of the young guys."

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has invited Lealiifano to train with the squad whenever he wants until he is recalled to his Japan Top League duties.

The 32-year-old hopes the unexpected break from playing will help extend his career, and his steps back on to the field could be via the Tuggeranong Vikings in the coming months.

At the moment Lealiifano is a part of the Brumbies' training "bubble", which means he can't play in Canberra's club rugby competition.

But if that changes, the lure of linking with family could make him a surprise addition to the Vikings either as a mentor or a player given brothers Lix and Eddie, and one of his nephews are involved with the club.

"I think Lix is helping coach second grade, my nephew is in Colts and Eddie is a team manager ... they're always trying to get me down there," Lealiifano said. "I'd love to head down there and help out, and you never know, I might jump in to help out."

Lealiifano played six games for NTT Communications before the season was stopped and there's no definite plan to start the next Top League season in Japan. It has given Lealiifano a chance to think about his post-playing career.

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"I guess I can shadow the [Brumbies] coaches to see what that's like. I've got some time now to figure out some options," Lealiifano said. "I don't really know what will happen, but I don't want to lock anything in because I want to use this time to spend some quality time with my family.

"I reached out to the Brumbies because I've got ages and I've got that itch to play ... just to touch the footy again. I haven't had this much time off since 2016, and at the back end of my career it's about freshening up rather than being run into the ground. If I can get that balance, maybe I can extend the quality years left in me."