Brumbies captain Ben Mowen says the Hurricanes are a much stronger outfit than last week's opponents the Blues.

The Brumbies snapped a two-game losing streak against the Blues at Eden Park last week to get their Super Rugby season back on track and knock the New Zealand side out of the top six, but Mowen believes the ninth-placed Hurricanes will pose a much bigger threat come Friday night. "TJ Perenara and (Beauden) Barrett have really controlled things well for them and they've got good ball carriers in Victor Vito," Mowen said as the Brumbies announced an unchanged line-up. "The [Blues] forwards didn't have the punch the Hurricanes have. Then they've got the experience of Conrad Smith and Julian Savea out wide."

Mowen said the Brumbies had prepared for weather to similar last week's rain-soaked match, which would boost to the Brumbies for whom Jesse Mogg (3134 metres), Nic White (2469m) and Matt Toomua (2423m) are all in the top 15 for most kick metres in the competition. The usually expansive Hurricanes on the other hand have just Beauden Barrett (3908m) in the top 15. "We've got to make sure that we execute the same game plan," Mowen said. "They will have their opportunities, you've just got to make sure they are limited ... with a good strong chase line."

The Hurricanes are buoyed by the return from injury of skipper Smith as well as first-choice hooker Dane Coles. "Conrad is obviously an extremely experienced, very dangerous and has been a consistent performer," Mowen said.

The Wellington-based side have also recalled the services of 122kg lock James Broadhurst and loose forward Brad Shields, with Brumbies coach Jake White noting they will likely try to outmuscle the Brumbies upfront. "They've selected a big pack, so our forwards are also going to have to be working hard to stop them getting a roll on," White said.

The desperate Hurricanes are in Canberra on the back of a bye and a close loss to the front-running Chiefs the week before. The Brumbies on the other hand can secure a spot in the finals if they claim a bonus-point win and Queensland Reds then lose to Melbourne Rebels by more than seven points on Saturday night.

Brumbies: Jesse Mogg; Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane; Matt Toomua, Nic White; Ben Mowen (captain), Colby Faingaa, Peter Kimlin; Sam Carter, Scott Fardy; Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio. Replacements: Siliva Siliva, Ruan Smith, Fotu Auelua, Jordan Smiler, Ian Prior, Robbie Coleman, Clyde Rathbone.