The story behind ACT Brumbies scrumhalf and winger Issak Fines-Leleiwasa

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will wear the No. 23 jersey in the Brumbies' Super Rugby AU grand final rematch with the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

Sure, the 25-year-old scrumhalf doubling as a winger played last year. Only then he was playing just as Issak Fines.

Then he saw his name on a board inside Brumbies headquarters and figured he better let the club know about the Fijian heritage he carries in his name.

"I saw my name on one of the boards and I thought 'ah well, it is hyphenated'," Fines-Leleiwasa said.

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"Fines-Leleiwasa is my full name so I thought I would let them know, and they've obviously started using it and it has got around pretty quick.

"It's obviously always been there but I don't think a lot of people knew it was hyphenated, so I thought I would fix that up at the start of the year. It's my dad's last name, he's Fijian.

"It's always good to get the name out."

Fines-Leleiwasa made a name for himself as a scrumhalf last year with a match-winning try against the NSW Waratahs at Stadium Australia making its way onto rugby highlight reels.

But it's on the wing where he has done his best work this season with his versatility allowing Brumbies coach Dan McKellar to pick three scrumhalves in his match day 23.

Nic White has locked down the starting role while Ryan Lonergan is filling his shoes when he comes off the bench. For most other scrumhalves that means biding your time from the grandstand.

But Fines-Leleiwasa has emerged as a genuine threat on the wing for the Brumbies with explosive speed, however both he and McKellar still see him as a No. 9.

"Definitely, that's my position and that's where I want to play my footy," Fines-Leleiwasa said.

"If it suits the team at this time, I'm happy to be [on the wing]. There's definitely some good outside backs. It's obviously different but it has been enjoyable. The backs have been performing pretty well so I've been loving it out there at the moment.

"I actually haven't [played on the wing before]. Obviously we go through a bit of rotation at training because we've got a couple of nines, so I found myself on the wing now and then.

"But I've never actually played there professionally before, or even in clubland. It's a bit of a first for me."

The Reds clash is the headline act of Super Rugby AU's First Nations round with Fines-Leleiwasa jumping at the chance to visit Burrunju Art Gallery in Canberra to learn about Australia's culture this week.

Fines-Leleiwasa was joined by suspended captain Allan Alaalatoa, injured prop James Slipper and back line duo Andy Muirhead and Reesjan Pasitoa, with the group painting and wood burning items they will hand over to the Reds before kick-off.

Slipper is still in a knee brace after suffering an MCL strain but hopes to shake it off this weekend and hit the track next week.

"It's going well, I'm still in the brace but hopefully I get out maybe this weekend and I'll start running next week," Slipper said.

"Then it's just ticking off a few things I need to get through before I'll be able to train with the team and then eventually play.

"Hopefully the team can get the job done this weekend, then we go into a bye, and then I should be back some time after the bye."

SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND FOUR

Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Broadcast: Live on Gem and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

ACT Brumbies team: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Tom Ross, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack (c), 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. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Archer Holz, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Jahrome Brown, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.

Queensland Reds team: 1. Dane Zander, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O'Connor (c), 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Suliasi Vunivalu, 15. Jock Campbell. Replacements: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Ryan Smith, 20. Seru Uru, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Bryce Hegarty, 23. Josh Flook.

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