Matt Giteau's early return to Canberra to face the Brumbies on Saturday night comes with the Western Force seeking to prove their Super 14 season isn't over before it begins.

Giteau is sure to receive a warm welcome from Brumbies fans - at least when his name is read out before kick-off - after announcing last week he would return for a second stint in the national capital from next season after playing there from 2003-06.

For the Force, though, the 26-year-old five-eighth's decision came as yet another setback in a rocky start to 2009.

It followed the now infamous independent inquiry into coach John Mitchell's methods and prompted rumblings star players Drew Mitchell and James O'Connor also want out.

"It's of no interest to us," Force captain Nathan Sharpe said on Friday of Giteau's decision.

"We know Matt's going to put in a great performance for us tomorrow night, and for the rest of the year.

"His decision came as no surprise to anyone in the club, so it's just on with business for us and we're looking forward to this interstate game."

On the field, the Force lost meekly to the Blues in round one before sneaking home unconvincingly against South African strugglers the Cheetahs last weekend.

With the jury still out on the effect the off-field problems have had on the team's performances, coach Mitchell has made five changes.

Prop Gareth Hardy's knee injury has ruled him out, while O'Connor will sit on the bench and former Test fullback Cameron Shepherd should return from an ankle injury on the wing.

"The last couple of weeks we've let ourselves down with our own mistakes and I know when we tidy those areas up we're going to be a very potent attacking force," Sharpe said.

The Perth-based side begin a tough three-match stretch on the road at Canberra Stadium, with New Zealand sides the Chiefs and Crusaders to follow.

The unbeaten Brumbies have lost only one game at home in Super rugby games against Australian sides since 1996 while the Force have managed just two wins from nine in clashes with Australian sides.

"You want to win consecutive games," Sharpe said.

"Our team likes to travel and that's a good thing."

The Brumbies revealed this week they would be sending big centre Stirling Mortlock Giteau's way in an attempt to sap the flyhalf's creative energy and coach Andy Friend confirmed his future No.10 could not expect an easy ride from his future teammates.

"We've spoken about him, as we have done other parts of the Force game," Friend said.

"They've got strengths across the park, but he's a key man in that if you give him a hole, whether it be a kicking space or a hole to run through from a line break , he'll definitely take that."

BRUMBIES: Mark Gerrard, Clyde Rathbone, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock, Francis Fainifo, Christian Lealiifano, Patrick Phibbs, Stephen Hoiles (capt), George Smith, Julian Salvi, Mark Chisholm, Ben Hand, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Nic Henderson. Res: John Ulugia, Ben Alexander, Sitaleki Timani, Peter Kimlin, Josh Holmes, Matt Toomua, Tyrone Smith.

FORCE: Drew Mitchell, Cameron Shepherd, Ryan Cross Junior Pelesasa, Nick Cummins, Matt Giteau, Josh Valentine, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Tom Hockings, Ben Castle, Tai McIsaac, Pek Cowan. Res: Luke Holmes, Keiran Longbottom, Richard Stanford, Tamaiti Horua, Chris O'Young, James O'Connor, Haig Sare.

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