'He launched my career': Toni Pulu ready for Chief Dave Rennie's arrival

"Dave is the one who launched my career and gave me a chance," Pulu grins.

"I've been getting a bit of stick from some of the boys back home in New Zealand that this is how I was planning it. But I'm just excited."

Pulu, the ACT Brumbies speed machine, is referring to new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, who will take the Australian coaching reins in 2020 after being appointed as Michael Cheika's successor.

It has the makings of a perfect storm as the former Waikato Chiefs coach and winger prepare to reunite in a place neither thought they would end up.

The Brumbies recruited Pulu to Australian rugby in 2019 to be an X-factor addition in a World Cup year, qualifying for Wallabies selection via his Australian mother.

His World Cup hopes evaporated under Cheika's coaching, but Rennie's appointment has put everyone in the Australian ranks back on a level playing field.

Pulu might have a headstart on the rest, not that he needs it given Rennie once described Pulu as fastest man in New Zealand rugby in his debut season in 2016.

"It's exciting to see him get an international coaching spot. He's a quality coach, people who have worked with him know that," Pulu said.

"It's exciting he's here and I'm here at the same time. He'll pick his team and If I'm in, great. If not, so be it."

MORE RUGBY UNION

Pulu has always been reluctant to look too far ahead, which is understandable given the late-blooming winger has been battling injuries since getting his chance in Hamilton. The start to his Brumbies career was halted by a head clash, which fractured his cheekbone in the first 10 minutes of the 2019 season.

He did make a comeback and played 12 games, equaling the most he's played in any season so far and now he hopes to take it to a new level in 2020.

Pulu was cleared of a calf injury on the eve of the Brumbies' Christmas break and has now set his sights on helping the rebuilt ACT back line make a fast start to the new year.

"I don't really dwell on injuries I've had," Pulu said.

"But I've got a bit of a chip on my shoulder at the moment. I want to come out here and perform next season.

"Hopefully that involves not getting injuries. The cheek injury was a freak accident, I never thought I'd get a facial injury. Hopefully that's the last one.

"I ended up playing quite a few games in a row and that was exciting. Coming into pre-season, I feel fitter and stronger.

"I didn't want to step on toes last year in a new environment. I feel a lot more comfortable, the coaches are still giving me confidence to do what I can and hopefully I can go out there and show that."

Pulu has scored 15 tries in his 43 Super Rugby games, but he managed to get across the line just once in 12 games for the Brumbies in 2019.

Coach Dan McKellar will be leaning on the 30-year-old in 2020, though, as he ushers in a new generation after the loss of Henry Speight and Christian Lealiifano from the back line.

"We've got some younger guys now and I'm one of the older ones, but I still feel I'm competing," Pulu said.

"The younger ones have played at a higher level, they're already used to this environment. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do."

Pulu will almost certainly take on wing spot for round one against the Queensland Reds on January 31, barring injury.

Tom Banks will keep the fullback spot, but the other wing is up for grabs after Speight's departure, with Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Solomone Kata and Mack Hansen to compete for the chance.

SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE

January 31: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm