Giteau in doubt for Force grudge match

BRISBANE - Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau is in doubt for the Brumbies' Super 14 rugby season opener against his former side, the Western Force, due to a quad strain.

Giteau suffered a slight tear in the muscle during sprint training on Monday, ruining hopes of him playing the Brumbies' final trial match against the NSW Waratahs in Canberra on February 4.

The star five-eighth is confident he'll be able to line up against the Force for a February 12 clash in Perth which is sure to have extra emotion after his off-season switch back to the Brumbies.

However his availability depends on how he responds to treatment.

"I should be fine, it's not a game I'm wanting to miss so I think should be right to play," said Giteau in Canberra on Wednesday.

"It's the first game of the Super 14 and obviously (I've been) brought back to the Brumbies now so it's a game I really want to play and there's a bit of history there as well."

Giteau said he felt a twinge as he decelerated at the end of a 40m sprint during speed work.

The injury hampers coach Andy Friend's plans ahead of the competition with the test pivot needing time to readjust to the Brumbies backline after three seasons with the Force.

"It's not ideal," Giteau said. "Obviously trying to get combinations and learning the partterns and players and things like that and playing the trial matches you get a lot out of those.

"It's disappointing it's happened but at least it's not as bad as I first thought."

- AAP