Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles says patience is the key to beating the Hurricanes on Friday and ending a barren recent Super 14 run against the Wellington side.

The sixth-placed Brumbies enter the match three places and eight points above their New Zealand rivals, who must win the Canberra Stadium fixture to stay finals contention.

The Brumbies are coming off a 61-15 thrashing of the Cheetahs, while the Hurricanes will be rested after the bye.

The Hurricanes are trying to avoid a record franchise streak of six matches without a win, but have enjoyed a good recent record against the Brumbies.

They have won the last three Super clashes between the sides, triumphing 56-7 in Wellington last year and also trumped the Brumbies in a pre-season trial.

"They are a side you have got to be patient against," Hoiles said.

"We saw last year we started well against them over in Wellington and then before you knew it, there was 50 points on the scoreboard.

"There's not too many weaknesses there.

"It's one of those games you've got to contest well at the breakdown because big games against the Kiwis are won and lost at the breakdown."

Hoiles downplayed his chances of perhaps forcing himself back into the Australian side after No.8 Wycliff Palu suffered a season-ending knee injury last week.

"There's still five games to go for us and if you sit down and talk about Wallabies jerseys, you are going to get jumped by the team you are playing this week," Hoiles said.

Injuries have forced a revamp of the Brumbies' backline, with Matt Giteau moving from inside centre to five-eighth to replace the injured Matt Toomua.

Tyrone Smith and Adam Ashley-Cooper have been moved to inside and outside centre respectively with Alfie Mafi getting his first start of the year on the wing and Wallabies lock Mark Chisholm regaining a starting spot at the expense of the injured Mitchell Chapman.

The Brumbies experienced mixed fitness fortunes on the eve of the game.

Half-back Josh Valentine ruled himself out with a hamstring niggle and was replaced in the starting side by Patrick Phibbs.

"It actual felt pretty good, but mentally I'm still not confident," Valentine said.

"It's my first hamstring injury and I've always been told if you ever get a hamstring injury and you think it's right, take that extra week."

Utility back Andrew Smith, who has signed a new two-year contract with the Brumbies, overcame an ankle injury to take his place on the bench.

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