ACT Brumbies rookie Jack Wright in line for daunting Super Rugby clash with Crusaders

But right until the moment the Tuggeranong product stepped onto the field to make his ACT Brumbies debut during a shootout against Moana Pasifika, "I was still pinching myself thinking: 'Nah, it won't happen'".

Now the Brumbies lock could be thrown into one of Super Rugby Pacific's most daunting tasks: taking on the Crusaders in Christchurch.

The Brumbies are one of just two unbeaten teams left standing after four rounds, and they will head across the Tasman to face a Crusaders outfit fresh off a win over the competition favourite Blues.

Wallabies lock Swain is out of a moon boot and a chance to return, but Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham could yet back Wright to fill the void in a grudge match.

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So Wright's work as a police officer can wait just a little longer, having taken time off after rising from the Brumbies' elite development squad into the Super Rugby side.

"In pre-season, a lot of the Wallabies boys were away so it doesn't really give you a real perspective on what the team is like," Wright said.

"In recent weeks, as you can expect, blokes need some rest here and there and with a few injuries, you're right in there. Up until this week, I didn't expect to get a go. When I saw Swainy in a moon boot on Monday, I knew it was probably my go.

"It's unreal. I'm born and bred Tuggeranong so it's stuff you dream of as a little kid. I never thought it would be something I would achieve. When Bernie told me on Monday arvo I would be playing, it was a bit of an unreal moment."

Wright came off the bench during a mad second half that finished with the Brumbies scoring four unanswered tries to run out 62-36 winners against Moana Pasifika.

Ryan Lonergan played a starring role in his 50^th appearance for the Brumbies, and it was somewhat fitting his milestone came on the same night a Vikings teammate made his debut.

"I've spent a lot of time with Ryan, a bit more with Noss [Lachlan Lonergan], I obviously went through the age groups with him, but I played a lot at Tuggeranong with Ryan," Wright said.

"To get out there in a Brumbies jersey on a special day for him was really awesome. To be able to share that with him, I was stoked.

"Vikings is a really good set-up. A lot of them have gone from that level to this level. A lot of the blokes in the change room tonight I've played a lot of club footy with. It's a really good breeding ground for club rugby players to take that next step.

"The speed is a lot better [at Super Rugby level] as you'd expect, but the physicality of club rugby, especially in Canberra, is right up there with tonight."

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