Re-signed scrumhalf Matt Lucas says the competition just to win selection every week will drive him to be a better player after agreeing to a one-year contract extension.
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Lucas joined Lachlan McCaffrey in signing new ACT Brumbies deals on the eve of the club's clash against the Japan Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday.
The touring roomates will make their respective comebacks in the clash, which is crucial to the Brumbies' hopes of making the play-offs this season.
Lucas is playing for the first time in almost a month after Ryan Lonergan got his shot as the back-up No. 9 to Joe Powell. McCaffrey is returning after overcoming a knee injury.
The pair's decision to stay in Canberra for at least 12 more months is a boost in an otherwise tough week for the club following the retirement of David Pocock and the departure of Henry Speight.
"It's exactly what I wanted. I've really enjoyed my time since coming down here and the way people have treated me," Lucas said.
"The team and the culture we've got ... I didn't have my mind set on anything else. It's a competitive environment and I just think with where I'm at in my career, the one year probably just suits both myself and the Brumbies."
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Lucas, 27, has played 57 games since making his Super Rugby debut for the NSW Waratahs in 2013.
He will be the Brumbies' spark off the bench against the Sunwolves, with the team chasing a bonus-point win to stay in play-off contention.
The livewire scrumhalf has had to be patient for his opportunities this season, working in a rotation with Powell and Lonergan as the trio competes for game time.
The ace up Lucas' sleeve this week is the stint he had in Japan at the end of last year, which helped add a new dynamic to his game after playing alongside Matt Giteau at Suntory.
"I've got some extremely fond memories of Japan. I won a sevens tournament at [Prince Chichibu Stadium] in Tokyo as well and I've had a few good Super Rugby wins there, too," Lucas said.
"I love the place, I love playing rugby there and I love the support and the fans. We've been through some times in Canberra where haven't gone right, but the group has hung tight.
"We're starting to see the benefit of that. We've got a few more hard games to go, but it's a joy to be along for the ride."
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.