The Brumbies have been given approval to honour former lock Vickerman, who spent three seasons at the club from 2001-2003..

Vickerman played just 20 games for the Brumbies but he left a lasting impression in Canberra and the new generation of players voted him as one of the best second-rowers in the club's history.

"Dan was highly respected, even by the new players," said former teammate and Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham.

"We wanted a way to pay our respects. Dan was very passionate about the team, the players, the way we played and our execution.

"He drove really good standards in and around the team, and delivered every week. He was just a guy you loved playing with because he gave you so much confidence."

The Brumbies will train in Canberra on Thursday morning before flying to Christchurch for a round-one blockbuster against trans-Tasman rivals the Canterbury Crusaders.

Larkham will unveil his team before flying out, with Joe Powell set to start at scrumhalf and Henry Speight ready to make his comeback after playing for the Australian sevens last year.

Kiwi recruit Wharenui Hawera will be thrust straight into Super Rugby action as the Brumbies' flyhalf while Jarrad Butler (lower leg injury) was still racing the clock to be fit.

Prop Scott Sio has been ruled out but Allan Alaalatoa is expected to be fit despite a hamstring injury forcing him to miss pre-season matches.

The Brumbies will be attempting to end a 17-year hoodoo in Christchurch in a daunting assignment for Larkham's new faces.

The Brumbies haven't beaten the Crusaders in New Zealand since 2000 and have lost the past six matches between the teams.

The Brumbies haven't won in New Zealand since 2014 and will be trying to end a six-match losing streak when they play the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch.

The Brumbies are also fighting to turnaround a horror record against Kiwi opponents, losing five of six matches against New Zealand teams last season.

In fact, the Brumbies haven't won in New Zealand since 2014 and the Crusaders have scored an average of 40 points in their past six clashes.

"It's not [an easy place to win] at all and we haven't got a great record against the Crusaders so it's a massive game for us first up," Larkham said.

"We had a bit of success last year in our first game [of the season], we felt we started quite nicely and we feel the preparation this year has been good as well.

"Travelling to Christchurch and then coming up against one of the best teams in the competition is always tough."

Australian teams won just three of 26 games against New Zealand teams in the Super Rugby season last year.

But some of the Brumbies young guns don't carry the scars of the past, including No. 9 Powell.

Powell is stepping up to replace Argentina international Tomas Cubelli, who will miss at least the first four months of the season.

Powell has played just 11 Super Rugby games but was called into a Wallabies training squad last year.

"I just want to build on last year, get a few starts and hopefully it's a big year," Powell said.

"My goal is to get into that Wallabies squad again, that's what drives me through to play good footy and get back there.

"I can just rest on being asked to train last year. I want to improve and just lead the team a bit more. It is daunting, but it's an opportunity and you've just got to take it when it comes."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE

Saturday: Canterbury Crusaders v ACT Brumbies at Christchurch, 5.35pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 1.