ACT Brumbies star Tevita Kuridrani to miss Western Force Super Rugby AU clash

The ACT Brumbies mentor is well versed in the art of tough conversations, and those same discussions are fuelling the club's Super Rugby AU championship hopes.

Kuridrani will spend another week on the sidelines with Solomone Kata getting another crack at outside centre for a clash with the Western Force at Canberra Stadium on Friday.

The return of Joe Powell marks the only change to the Brumbies' starting XV, while Folau Fainga'a and Reesjan Pasitoa will come off the bench in the only other changes to the side which dismantled NSW in emphatic fashion last week.

It leaves 29-year-old Kuridrani out for the second week in a row, with one more regular season match remaining after the round nine game against the Force.

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McKellar hopes Kata can make the most of better conditions than the side endured last week, with the Brumbies now on the cusp of securing a home ground advantage for the competition final on September 19.

"They're tough conversations to have, and you always feel for the players because all of our boys work hard, put the effort in day in, day out," McKellar said.

"It's always tough to pick 23, but we've developed this group over the past couple of years. We're in a position now where we've got good depth in most positions, and we can't complain about it. The tough part is telling guys they're not in the 23.

"We talk all the time about having that squad mentality. Words are one thing, but to be able to provide opportunity and understand and trust they'll take it is really pleasing.

"There are a lot of players hungry to be in the side and perform well, which is what we want at this time of the year."

The Force will come to Canberra in search of a breakthrough victory after returning to the Super Rugby fold for the revamped Australian competition.

Fainga'a will make his return from a calf injury off the bench, with McKellar opting for a 5-3 split on the pine. Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Darcy Swain and Rob Valetini are the other forward finishers.

Tom Cusack [back] and Lachlan Lonergan have been left out. Pasitoa has been called into the 23 and could deputise for flyhalf Bayley Kuenzle, with Noah Lolesio potentially entering the frame next week as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

"It's an injury we've got to be smart with. We want him back playing and available, but we also don't want further issues that will hamper him for the next couple of years," McKellar said.

"[Kuenzle] has taken a lot of confidence out of last week, he has trained really well this week. He is just starting to find that confidence that he belongs, and feels comfortable directing the group around. It was a step forward for him last week, and hopefully we get the same [on Friday].

"They're young players, it's their first year at this level and they're developing. You're going to have some tough moments along the way. That's professional sport. Pleasingly they've been able to learn from things and park mistakes if they've made them, and continue to back themselves."

SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND NINE

Friday: ACT Brumbies v Western Force at Canberra Stadium, 7.05pm.

Brumbies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Connal McInerney, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Murray Douglas, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Lachlan McCaffrey, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Bayley Kuenzle, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Solomone Kata, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Folau Fainga'a, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Rob Valetini, 21. Nic White, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Len Ikitau.

Force squad: 1. Pek Cowan, 2. Andrew Ready, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Ollie Atkins, 6. Fergus Lee-Warner, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Henry Stowers, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Jono Lance, 11. Brad Lacey, 12. Henry Taefu, 13. Kyle Godwin, 14. Marcel Brache, 15. Jack McGregor. Replacements: 16. Feleti Kaitu'u, 17. Chris Heiberg, 18. Tom Sheminant, 19. Tevin Ferris, 20. Brynard Stander, 21. Nick Frisby, 22. Richard Kahui, 23. Jake Strachan.