Brumbies veteran Stirling Mortlock will miss Friday's clash against the Blues in Auckland after suffering knocks to the neck and shoulder in last week's narrow victory over the Sharks.
While the 32-year-old has been cleared of any structural damage, coach Andy Friend has opted to rest the former skipper with Tyrone Smith to wear the No.13 jumper in his absence.
Smith, who has been unable to crack the starting line-up this season, will partner the in-form Christian Lealiifano in the centres for the Round 6 clash.
The change to the starting line-up see the uncapped Andrew Smith move onto the bench while prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa is also in line to make his Super rugby debut after being elevated to the reserves list.
The rookie pair will start on the bench alongside scrumhalf Patrick Phibbs who did not take to the field against the Sharks and is again in line for his 50th Super rugby cap on Friday.
Lock Mark Chisolm will become the most capped Brumbies lock when he earns his 81st start against the Blues, surpassing David Giffen's 80 matches for the province between 1996 and 2004.
The Brumbies broke a seven-year drought on their last venture to Auckland in 2008 and head to Eden Park full of confidence after a solid opening to the campaign.
"I'm very comfortable with where we are at the moment," Friend said.
"If someone had offered me four wins from five at the beginning of the season with the South African leg out completed then I would have taken that."
"The challenge for us is that we continue to build throughout the season. At this stage, we're creating opportunities to put sides away but we're not finishing them off."
"The pleasing aspect is that our performances are improving each week, combinations are looking stronger and the team statistics show that we are getting closer to where we want to be with each match."
"The Blues are one of the danger sides in this competition. They're typical of all New Zealand teams in that they'll attack you from anywhere on the field, they'll chance their hand and back themselves at every opportunity."
"We'll need to ensure our defensive systems are in check and that we are taking the opportunities we create if we're going to return with the points."
Brumbies: 1. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Salesi Ma'afu, 4. Ben Hand, 5. Mark Chisholm, 6. Rocky Elsom, 7. George Smith, 8. Stephen Hoiles (c), 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Matt Giteau, 11. Francis Fainifo, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Tyrone Smith, 14. Pat McCabe, 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Reserves: 16. Huia Edmonds, 17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18. Justin Harrison, 19. Mitchell Chapman, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21.Matt Toomua, 22. Andrew Smith.