Laidback and brutal: Meet the ACT Brumbies' new centre Len Ikitau

"But he can bring brutality to his game. He does have the ability to flick the switch," Rennie said.

Wallabies coaches already know it - and now the ACT Brumbies young gun gets a chance to show rugby fans around the country what he is capable of.

Ikitau will look to fill the void left by Tevita Kuridrani when the pair collide in a Super Rugby AU showdown at Perth Oval on Friday night.

The 22-year-old will wear the No. 13 jersey in his ninth Super Rugby game. The man lining up at outside centre for the Western Force? Kuridrani.

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Kuridrani's exit has opened the door for Ikitau to stake a claim for the Brumbies' outside centre spot and chase a Wallabies call-up at season's end.

It seems a tall order but Ikitau has already got a taste of life as a Wallaby. He was the bolter in Rennie's squad last year with national coaches keen to give the prodigiously talented youngster a glimpse of what it takes to be a Test player.

"We obviously see the potential in Lenny, and that's the reason we wanted to bring him in," Rennie said.

"We thought there was a real advantage getting him in the camp and giving him an understanding of the work rate and the effort required.

"It's on the back of no Super Rugby, he hadn't played 80 minutes of footy all year. He battled initially with the demands of the training and the conditioning side of things.

"To his credit he worked really hard and got himself into shape. I thought he performed really well for Australia A.

"He'll get an opportunity to try to nail that 13 jersey hopefully, and it's his job to continually put pressure on Dan and his coaching group for selection.

"He has got a good skill set so we're very excited to see where he goes."

Ikitau will join a Brumbies backline boasting Wallabies duo Noah Lolesio and Irae Simone at flyhalf and inside centre respectively, with the latter overcoming a calf tear in time for the Force clash.

A tight back will keep prop Scott Sio sidelined for the opening round, with James Slipper to start in the front-row and Harry Lloyd joining the bench.

But Brumbies coach Dan McKellar expects Sio and Solomone Kata to figure in selection calculations for a round two showdown with the NSW Waratahs.

The looming return of Kata will ignite Ikitau's desire to shine as he looks to establish himself as the club's premier No. 13 in search of Super Rugby success and a Wallabies debut.

"That's a dream, I'm focusing on the Brumbies right now and playing some good footy, and the rest will take care of itself," Ikitau said.

"Obviously I was stoked to be there but it was more of a learning experience for me. I really got a feel for what it's like to be at that level, and obviously it's what I'm striving for this year.

"I used the past couple of years as learning experience, being behind one of the best centres in the world with Tevita there. I just felt like this year could be my year.

"Obviously Tev has gone to the Force and there is a big hole at that 13 spot. If I'm lucky enough to get there, I'll be happy to take the 13 spot.

"It's a new year, and I feel like I'm in a good position to fill that 13 role [for the Brumbies]. I'm looking forward to it."

SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND ONE

Friday: Western Force v ACT Brumbies at Perth Oval, 9.55pm AEDT. Broadcast: Live on Stan Sport.

ACT Brumbies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Nic White, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Mack Hansen, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Tom Cusack, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.

Western Force squad: 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Feleti Kaitu'u, 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Fergus Lee Warner, 6. Tomas Lezana, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Ian Prior (c), 10. Jono Lance, 11. Marcel Brache, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Byron Ralston, 15. Robert Kearney. Replacements: 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Angus Wagner, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Tim Anstee, 21. Tomas Cubelli, 22. Jake McIntyre, 23. Richard Kahui.