But the Wallaroo-in-waiting is back early from a knee reconstruction and will run out in her Super W return against the Western Force at Viking Park on Sunday.

The ACT Brumbies have set their sights on finishing their regular season with back-to-back wins against the Force and then the unbeaten Fijiana Drua in Brisbane.

Petersen's one of two big ins for the fourth-placed Brumbies, along with lock Michaela Leonard - who is returning from a stint playing in New Zealand's Super Rugby Aupiki.

Brumbies coach Dan Hawke said Petersen has been shining on the training track and was ready to return.

"Gabby's an amazing story because she was not meant to be ready to play coming back from her ACL," Hawke said.

"She was under the impression this season was purely going to be a training opportunity to get ready for the John I Dent series.

"But she's worked so hard in her rehabilitation she's been able to get back to play.

"And now she's got an opportunity in potentially the next two games to put her best foot forward for Wallaroos."

MORE BRUMBIES NEWS

Leonard returns to the bench after a stint playing for Matutu across the Ditch.

It meant the Brumbies captain missed the opening three games of Super W, but returns after last weekend's competition-wide bye.

"[Leonard's] coming back from her little New Zealand escapade," Hawke said.

"It's going to be awesome - her leadership, her workrate and just her knowledge of the lineout is something that we're looking forward to having this weekend.

"It was a full-time program for six weeks.

"It got cut a little bit short with some of the COVID protocols they had to go through, but she spoke very highly of the connection and the community sense they tried building in the team."

SUPER W ROUND FIVE

Sunday: ACT Brumbies v Western Force at Viking Park, 2pm.

Brumbies squad: 1. Niki Patersen, 2. Harriet Elleman, 3. Louise Burrows, 4. Ash Fernandez, 5. Shellie Milward, 6. Grace Kemp, 7. Talei Qalo Wilson, 8. Rebecca Smyth (c), 9. Jay Huriwai, 10. Ash Hewson, 11. Biola Dawa, 12. Siokapesi Palu, 13. Mana Furuta, 14. Jemima McCalman, 15. Ella Ryan. Reserves: 16. Tania Naden, 17. Onata Schwalger, 18. Makoto Lavemai, 19. Michaela Leonard, 20. Pearl Rakete, 21. Gisela Vea, 22. Gabby Petersen, 23. Halley Derera.