Brumbies coach Tony Rea says his embattled side has Matt Giteau's 100th Super Rugby match as motivation for their home clash against the Lions on Saturday.

Captain Giteau will become the third ACT-raised player to achieve the milestone after George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, although Giteau played 37 of his Super matches with the Western Force.

Rea said the side has spoken about the importance of Giteau's 100th match in the provincial competition this week.

"It's very hard to achieve," he told reporters in Canberra on Friday.

"He has been terrific for us.

"He has earned an effort from us."

Saturday's match at Canberra Stadium pitches fourth last, the Brumbies, against last, the Lions.

The Brumbies have won two matches from 10 outings while the Lions have won one from 11.

Both sides had disappointing losses last weekend, with the Lions thumped 53-19 by the Cheetahs.

The Brumbies conceded the last 28 points in their 34-16 loss to the Sharks after leading 16-6 at halftime.

While 2011 has been one of the worst seasons for the Brumbies since they entered the competition in 1996, their South African opponents have been dire for the past two years.

The Lions have won one of their past 25 matches. In 2010, they lost all 13 games.

But for the Brumbies the focus will be on their own performance, Rea said.

"We need to do the basics well and be really disciplined," he said, while also challenging his tight-five forwards to lift their work rate.

Dropping Wallabies lock Mark Chisholm to the bench was a signal to the other forwards.

Ben Hand swaps with Chisholm to start the match.

Tighthead prop Jono Owen retains his starting spot with Dan Palmer not recovering from a foot injury.

Josh Valentine returns as the starting halfback in place of Patrick Phibbs and winger Henry Speight comes back from an ankle injury to replace Francis Fainifo on the bench.

Giteau is not the only century achiever this weekend, with the Brumbies playing their 100th match at Canberra Stadium.

The home side have a 78 per cent success rate at the venue and have defeated the Lions in all eight matches played there.

But another loss for the local side would be a franchise-record nine losses in a Super season.

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