New Brumbies conscript Peter Hewat could suit up for Friday night's important Super Rugby clash in Wellington but not as Christian Lealiifano's No.10 replacement.
The Brumbies are likely to show faith in talented youngster Robbie Coleman at five-eighth as they attempt to defend an eight-point Australian conference lead over the next six rounds.
Hewat joined the ACT franchise on the weekend and spent time running at both No.10 and fullback in training after being released on a short-term deal by his Japanese club Suntory.
While Hewat plays five-eighth for the Eddie Jones-led Suntory, Brumbies coach Jake White expects his young team to lift across the board to cover the dual losses of playmakers Lealiifano and Matt Toomua.
Former Australia Under-20 and sevens star Coleman is the front-runner for the five-eighth spot against the Hurricanes, ahead of fellow 21-year-old Zack Holmes.
It seems the best former NSW Waratahs fullback Hewat, who last played Super Rugby in 2007, can hope for is a place on the bench at Westpac Stadium.
Assistant coach Laurie Fisher was tight-lipped about the No.10 selection on Monday but indicated either Coleman or Holmes would get first crack.
Fisher said the position wouldn't be set in concrete for the run into the play-offs and denied the Brumbies would need to change their playing style following the shattering last-start loss of the in-form Lealiifano (broken ankle).
"They're good players and they have slightly different skill sets so perhaps over the next six to eight weeks they will both get opportunities," he said of Coleman and Holmes.
"We said from day one that we're happy with the depth and competition within the squad, and still are, so we're expecting whoever fills that role to play well and the team will lift around that person."
While Hewat, who will be ineligible for the finals, may be a mere back-up at No.10, Fisher said the late-blooming 34-year-old's decade as a professional in Australia, England and Japan would be invaluable.
"He's in great nick, he's a good guy and he's an experienced footballer," he said.
"He'll pick things up quickly so he's a good addition to our squad."
A loss to the Hurricanes will leave the Brumbies (39 points) vulnerable as they face defending champions Queensland (31) the following weekend at Canberra Stadium.
