Matt Giteau is rated as 50-50 to make his Brumbies return against the Force on Friday © Getty Images

Related Links

Referees to face media spotlight

Stormers waiting on Burger injury

Bartholomeusz to step in for Pretorius

Giteau hopeful of fitness boost

Smith calls time on Wallabies career

Waratahs and Crusaders notch wins

SANZAR target spectator-friendly product

Stormers too good for Sharks

Players/Officials Matt Giteau

Tournaments/Tours Super 14

Teams Australia | Brumbies | Force

Matt Giteau has been bracketed at fly-half alongside youngster Matt Toomua for the Brumbies' opening Super 14 fixture of the season against the Western Force in Perth on Friday, with the Wallabies playmaker still recovering from a thigh problem.

Rocky Elsom has proven his fitness though and joins George Smith and skipper Stephen Hoiles in the back-row. Justin Harrison will make his playing return following the end of his suspension for drugs offences and is partnered in the second-row by Mark Chisholm.

Coach Andy Friend has given Giteau every chance to prove his fitness and has maintained his original plan to use Christian Lealiifano as a second playmaker at inside-centre.

"Matt's still touch and go at this stage," he said. "You never want to leave a player like that out of the side and we'll be giving him every opportunity to play against his old side.

"He's comfortable with where he's at at the moment and the medical staff has been pleased with how it's been progressing. We'll be giving him up until the last possible minute on Friday but we're very mindful that you don't want to be risking someone like that should they not be 100% ready to go."

Brumbies: Adam Ashley-Cooper; Pat McCabe, Stirling Mortlock, Christian Lealiifano, Francis Fainifo; Matt Giteau/Matt Toomua, Josh Valentine; Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Guy Shepherdson, Mark Chisholm, Justin Harrison, Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Stephen Hoiles (capt)

Replacements: Huia Edmonds, Salesi Maafu, Ben Hand, Mitchell Chapman, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Alfi Mafi, (Afusipa Taumoepeau)