Super Rugby: Tom Banks and Brumbies ready for tournament opener against Western Force

The Brumbies are eagerly looking forward to their Super Rugby Pacific opener against the Western Force on February 20, preparing for a reunion of sorts at GIO Stadium.

With the Force looking for a youthful injection heading into 2022, they turned to the nation’s capital to bolster their roster, recruiting the likes of Reesjan Pasiota and Bayley Kuenzle west.

In total, five players from their 2021 squad would make the trip to Western Australia as they overhauled their roster.

Brumbies and Wallabies full-back Tom Banks was relishing the match-up with his former team-mates, particularly with old housemate Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, well aware of the threats they possess.

“We certainly know what they can bring. Reesjan, BK (Bayley Kuenzle) have really come a long way,” Banks told Rugby Australia’s official website on Monday.

“They’re all quite threatening players and we know it’s going to be an interesting battle.

“(Banter with Fines-Leleiwasa) hasn’t started yet but maybe I’ll give him a call this week and let him know what’s happening.”

In their absence, the Brumbies have continued to build depth, recruiting the likes of Chris Feauai-Sautia, Jesse Mogg and Cam Clark to bolster their backline.

With Banks ready to return from an arm injury that sidelined him towards the end of the Rugby Championship, he believes the growing competition is pushing the squad to the next level.

“We’re feeling really good. I think the things we focused on in pre-season and wanted to challenge ourselves on, we’ve been quite good,” he said.

“It’s good to see that all come out through that internal trial. Obviously that trial in Bowral (against the Waratahs) was a bit wet which made it harder but that internal trial, a lot of boys stood up and put