When Christian Lealiifano was diagnosed with leukaemia, Scott Sio never doubted his close mate would make an inspirational return to rugby.
The Brumbies have named Lealiifano on the bench for Friday night's quarter-final against the Hurricanes, his first Super Rugby match since he learned he had cancer 11 months ago.
Through chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant from his sister Sally and according to Sio, Lealiifano's outlook, he's been able to stare down the life-threatening illness.
In February the 29-year-old went into remission.
Last month Lealiifano played for the Brumbies in an exhibition match in Singapore and fourth-grade club rugby for Tuggeranong.
Now he's on the verge of a remarkable comeback in a sudden-death final.
"I always believed that he would take the field this year, no matter who that was for, mainly because of the determination he's had throughout the whole entire process," Sio said.
"The way he's attacked it, and attacked it head-on has been the amazing thing for me.
"Normally you see people who face such adversity, you want to see how they react to it and he's been so positive. He's been great for all of us."
It's not the first time Sio's life has been touched by cancer.
"My mum went through it for my first couple of years at the Brumbies," he said.
"I had a first-hand experience of what Christian was going through.
"As my Mum did, Christian has remained so positive throughout it."
Soon after learning about Lealiifano's illness, Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham sat down with his star playmaker to plot a path back to playing.
"I was always very optimistic," Larkham said.
Sam Carter, the man who has led the side on the field in Lealiifano's absence, said his return is a massive boost for their title hopes.
"I don't think people have seen how hard he's work to get in the position he's in now," Carter said.
"It's very exciting to see him named."
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