Reinvigorated halfback Josh Valentine is desperately hoping his Brumbies resurgence and rapport with Matt Giteau ends his days as Australian rugby's forgotten man this week.

Valentine was left a shattered figure last year when overlooked for the Wallabies' grand slam tour in favour of a massive bolter in sevens specialist Richard Kingi.

The "kick in the teeth" had also come after the start of Will Genia's meteoric rise had knocked him off Australia's bench last winter.

But Genia's knee injury and back-up Luke Burgess's concerning lack of improvement has the door well and truly open for Valentine to add to his six Test caps with a possible first starting appearance in the Wallabies June 5 season-opener against Fiji.

Coach Robbie Deans will announce his 30-man squad on Thursday, plus 10 more for mid-week Barbarians duty against England, and should include three halfbacks.

Following a strong and consistent Super 14 for the Brumbies, where he starred in vital late-season wins over Queensland and the Highlanders, the 27-year-old has his fingers crossed for a change in fortune.

"That was very disappointing for myself, to be a part of the original (2009) squad and then miss out on the Tri-Nations and then it was even more of a kick in the teeth when I didn't get announced again on the Spring Tour," Valentine told AAP.

"I was pretty shattered but they said they wanted to try and bring on some younger guys and wanted to play Will and Luke Burgess in the Tests and also midweek games so it would have been a waste of time for me.

"But you never want to be left at home.

"I thought all I could do was play good for the Brum's and I thought I put a solid performance in this year and if it was good enough we'll find out soon."

While Valentine said Deans had no negative feedback for him, the half who has played for all four Australian provinces took it upon himself to improve his act off the field.

He went back to the Brumbies and tried to become the best team man he could and, on the advice of coach Andy Friend, also become a leader.

Valentine's combination with his former Western Force halves partner, Giteau, at the Brumbies looms as a significant factor in his aspirations to start in next month's four Tests.

It's unclear whether Giteau will be chosen at five-eighth or inside centre but the Wallabies vice-captain is a certainty to start in the backline.

Valentine believes his chances will rise with Giteau retained at No.10 but can't see any problem with partnering in-form Queensland five-eighth Quade Cooper.

"Gits and I are pretty good mates and understanding his game and understanding my game I think we've got that down pat now but seriously that's out of our hands," he said.

"I guess if you are going to get an opportunity it's going to be healthier for me if Gits is at 10 and I'm at nine.

"But either way it would be a big thrill."

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