Print Bret Harris | May 11, 2009 The Australian

WALLABIES captain Stirling Mortlock is set to be restored to his accustomed position at outside centre for the Brumbies' make-or-break match with the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.

Mortlock became the highest points scorer in Super rugby playing on the right wing in the Brumbies' 37-15 win against the Blues in Canberra on Saturday night.

But the loss of inside centre Gene Fairbanks with a hamstring injury means coach Andy Friend will need to reshuffle his midfield combination once again with a Tyrone Smith/Mortlock centre pairing the most likely option.

Fairbanks, who is believed to be heading to Japan, may have played his last game for the Brumbies, unless they reach the final.

With Mortlock back in the midfield, the injury hit ACT side will probably start Afusipa Taumoepeau on the wing, although Clyde Rathbone will be considered if he recovers from a quadriceps strain.

A return to the midfield would give Mortlock at least one more opportunity to show Wallabies coach Robbie Deans he is still the best number 13 in the country, particularly as he will oppose All Blacks outside centre Richard Kahui.

There has been speculation about Mortlock's captaincy of the Wallabies and his place in the Test team following his recent below-par form.

But Mortlock was an influential figure in the Brumbies' second-biggest win against the Blues, who have been their bogey team over the years.

Mortlock was hardly involved in the play in the first half and the Blues led the lacklustre Brumbies 10-6 at the break.

But it was Mortlock who ignited a fireball of attacking rugby in the second half, scoring the first of the Brumbies' five tries in the 42nd minute following a raid on the blindside.

He also pulled off some big hits in defence, including a rib-rattler on Blues loosehead prop Tony Woodcock.

"He was outstanding," Friend said. "He's such a competitor.

"There is a vibe about him. If he is up, it's infectious. Some of his individual efforts were game-changing."

Blindside flanker Mitch Chapman is also doubtful after sustaining a couple of head knocks.

Reserve backrower Julian Salvi is likely to start at number six.

The Brumbies will be hoping Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore recovers from a hamstring injury.

Moore, who was unable to train for much of last week because of a slight tear in his right hamstring, was ruled out just before kick-off.

There is concern Moore may have done more damage to the injury while warming up and he will have another scan today.

The Brumbies climbed to fifth position on the table - equal on 37 points with the fourth-placed Crusaders, but behind on the differential entering the final round.

To secure a play-off spot, the Brumbies will need to score another four-try bonus-point win and deny the second-placed Chiefs any competition points.

Otherwise, the Brumbies will be relying on other results to go their way.

The Brumbies have produced a good record against the Chiefs, winning nine of their 14 games, including four of six in Hamilton, but the Waikato side has never had a season like this one.

"They are obviously a quality side," Friend said of the Chiefs. "They played good footy to beat the in-form Hurricanes.

"Richard Kahui at 13 is one of the form players in the tournament. Their backrow is solid and their back three is quick.

"They are on top of their game at the moment and they are going to be a tough nut to crack."

The Brumbies will be aiming to pick up where they left off against the Blues.

"They (the Blues) were very good in the first half. We weren't at our best," Friend said. "The intent was there, but the execution and desire were lacking.

"I was very pleased with the way they turned it around in the second half.

"The players knew themselves (at half-time). We went into the game with some key things we wanted to do.

"We weren't outmuscling them at the breakdown, we weren't keeping the integrity of our line and we weren't playing through the channels we wanted to play through.

"It was potentially our last home game of the year and the first half was not what we wanted. We needed something special.

"They lifted and turned things around. Four tries in 16 minutes shows what they can do when they put their minds to it."

Meanwhile, the Brumbies are close to re-signing Wallabies back-five forward Peter Kimlin.

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