The return of Wallabies winger Joe Tomane and big No.8 Fotu Auelua have buoyed the Brumbies ahead of their crucial Super Rugby clash against the lowly-ranked Blues at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

The Australian Conference leaders are within spitting distance of qualifying for their first finals campaign since 2004 and need just a bonus point to put their berth out of question ahead of the second-placed Queensland Reds.

Tomane will be a welcome addition to the backline after suffering an ankle injury in training with the Wallabies last month.

He slots back to his regular spot on the wing, moving Jesse Mogg to fullback and Robbie Coleman to the bench.

Auelua, who injured his hamstring playing in the ACT local competition, is also back from a three-week break and starts on the bench, with Ben Mowen assuming starting No.8 duties against the Blues.

Brumbies: Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Andrew Smith, Pat McCabe, Joe Tomane, Zack Holmes, Nic White, Ben Mowen (capt), Michael Hooper, Peter Kimlin, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Dan Palmer, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Res: Anthony Hegarty, Ruaidhri Murphy, Leon Power, Fotu Auelua, Ian Prior, Tevita Kuridrani, Robbie Coleman.