New ACT Brumbies coach David Nucifora has introduced a training routine with an emphasis on speed work, as the titleholders attempt to stay ahead of their rivals in 2002.

"You can see by watching the Tri-Nations this year and the Test matches recently ... the defence is so tight and well organised that the power and dynamics to break a defensive line will be crucial," he said.

"Our whole pre-season focus is on it and with the way rugby is going, speed and agility will be the two crucial things."

The team has spent considerable time at the Australian Institute of Sport with its track coaches, working on pure speed and the technical aspects of running, but Nucifora stopped short of saying the Wallabies' recent losing run was contributed to by a lack of pace.

Former 400m runner Daniel Batman, who quit the sport last month because he was disillusioned by what he said is systematic doping in athletics, has also been catching Nucifora's eye.

"He's been going quite well, but it's a long term project for Daniel because he hasn't played for four or five years and the game's changed a lot in that time," he said. "In another 12-18 months we'll see where he's at."

The newcomer also confirmed that Wallaby players Stirling Mortlock (pictured) and Jeremy Paul, who have missed long periods in 2001 with serious injury, would make their returns in the Super 12 competition next year.

"Stirling has pretty much received the all clear to resume full training on his shoulder and Jeremy is ahead of schedule at the moment with his knee," Nucifora said. "I think they are both really enjoying the time to rehabilitate the rest of the bodies."