Tom Wright hopes to unleash illness frustration in Brumbies-Sunwolves clash

Wright will return to full Brumbies training on Sunday, giving coach Dan McKellar another selection headache as he prepares for the clash against the Japan Sunwolves.

The bye week has given the Brumbies time to recover from an outbreak of the mumps, which threatened to derail their strong start to the Super Rugby campaign.

Wright was one of several players who had to withdraw from the last game, which opened the door for other wingers to step into his role.

McKellar will have to choose whether Wright did enough in the first three games to warrant an immediate return, or Andy Muirhead, Toni Pulu or Mack Hansen will play in Wollongong.

"You can't ever come in being at half your best because every training session is like an audition," Wright said.

"Especially in the outside backs. You might only get a few chances even at training, so you have to take those to be able to show you can light it up.

"We're all good mates and pushing each other to be better, but there are only two spots each week and it's always going to be competitive.

"It was a bit frustrating [to be sick] for the last game. I wasn't on my death bed, I was just angry because all you want to do is be playing at this time of year."

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The Brumbies will fancy their chances of toppling the Sunwolves, who are playing in Wollongong after coronavirus concerns prompted the Japan government cancelled all sporting events for the next two weeks.

It's a horror situation for the Sunwolves, who have won just one of four games this year. Making matters worse, they have conceded 126 points in the past two games.

They scored just 15 points in a 64-15 loss on Saturday as they struggle through what will be the franchise's last season in Super Rugby.

It makes them an unpredictable opponent in a game that will be played at 2.45pm on Friday.

Wright, Tom Cusack, Hansen and Darcy Swain are set to come back into selection contention after injury and illness ruled them out in recent weeks.

James Slipper and Scott Sio could continue a loosehead prop rotation, but Folau Faingaa is a day-by-day proposition as he battles an ongoing toe problem. If he is unavailable, Connal McInerney will likely keep the starting role and rookie Lachlan Lonergan will come off the bench.

"I've got some tough decisions to make," McKellar said. "There are going to be times during the year, particularly in positions where it's tight for spots, that I'll be rotating. That could be the case this week."

Wright scored two tries in the first three games and he is starting to form a combination with fellow NRL convert Solomone Kata.

The duo's offloading ability and tackle-breaking runs have added an extra dimension to the Brumbies' back line this season, with Kata also crossing for two tries of his own.

Wright scored two tries in the first three games and started to form a devastating wing partnership with fellow rugby league convert Solomone Kata.

"But then you look at the team and we had 12 offloads [against the Chiefs] and not everyone has come from league," Wright said.

"I spoke to the staff about [specialising on the wing]. The king of Canberra Henry Speight departed, so there was going to be an opportunity there.

"I'm definitely feeling more comfortable here. The club makes you feel at home ... the football stuff rolls off the back of that. There are things I want to improve on, but if I didn't narrow my focus it would have been a bit more difficult."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND SIX

Friday: Japan Sunwolves v ACT Brumbies at Wollongong, 2.45pm.