Fardy has signalled his intention to re-sign with the Brumbies and it's understood a deal could be finalised within the coming weeks.

The journeyman forward will make his comeback in a pre-season trial on Saturday after knee surgery cut short his international season last year.

Fardy joined the Brumbies in 2012 as an unknown mature-age recruit from the Japanese competition, but has established himself as a mainstay of the Wallabies pack.

His background in Japan could pave the way for rich clubs to try to poach the 30-year-old for a sabbatical or an extended stint, but Fardy is only focused on his Brumbies future.

"My future isn't playing on my mind, there are some things in the works … I'm want to stay in Canberra," Fardy said.

"Age is just a number to me. I want to do what's right by both parties and settle things.

"I pinch myself sometimes [with how far I've come], I'm very thankful for the Brumbies who gave me an opportunity to come here, without them I wouldn't be the player I am today."

Australian rugby is in danger of losing its stars to cashed-up clubs in Europe and Japan who are willing to offer big-money contracts to entice them away from the Wallabies set up.

The Brumbies are trying to get creative with their contracts, with chief executive Michael Jones floating the idea of "innovative" deals to allow players to maximise their earnings with playing stints abroad between Super Rugby seasons.

Fardy will be rolled out in the Brumbies' line-up for a pre-season trial against the Otago Highlanders in Wagga.

Coach Stephen Larkham is expected to field an almost full-strength side to fine-tune preparations in the last match before the regular season begins on February 13.

The Brumbies have been dealt a blow with Fotu Auelua set to have minor knee surgery on Thursday, which could delay the start to his Super Rugby campaign.

Auelua will miss up to five weeks, but the Brumbies are hopeful the surgery to clean up cartilage damage will be smooth and he could bolt into selection contention for round one.

The Brumbies will also test a new hooker combination in the lead up to the season, with captain Stephen Moore to make his comeback from a knee reconstruction for the opening round against the Queensland Reds.

Rookies Mitch Wade will start at hooker while prop Les Leulua'iali'i-Makin will be his back up.

"I've played a little bit of hooker, but it's something new and I'm excited by the challenge," Makin said.

Fardy is preparing for his fourth Super Rugby season after he was a surprise recruit when the Brumbies started their rebuilding phase three years ago.

Fardy had been overlooked by the NSW Waratahs and Western Force as a talented junior, and Fardy opted to move his career to Japan.

His hard-nosed game style earned him praise in an impressive debut campaign with the Brumbies and he made his Wallabies debut in 2013.

But he needed surgery to remove loose cartilage in October, forcing him to miss Australia's five-match tour of Europe and a chance to work with new coach Michael Cheika.

It means the Super Rugby season will double as a World Cup audition.

"I feel pretty refreshed and ready to get going," Fardy said.

"I felt like I wasn't improving as a player [at the end of last year] because of the injury, I was trying to get on and off the field as quick as I could because I was in a fair bit of pain.

"But I've already been able to make some improvements that I probably wouldn't have been able to if I didn't have surgery then.

"I spoke to Cheik, he was fine with it. You back yourself to play well in Super Rugby and hopefully be a part of the World Cup."

SUPER RUGBY PRE-SEASON

Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Otago Highlanders at Wagga, 7pm. Tickets available at the gate.