Godwin boost timely for Brumbies

Brumbies centre Kyle Godwin says he’s not expecting to be a game changer in his return from a broken hand.

Godwin will play his first game in a month when the Brumbies take on the Lions, after breaking his hand against the Reds - the last ACT win.

While he laughed off the notion that he might be any sort of lucky charm for the Brumbies on his return, but coach Stephen Larkham said Godwin would take some of the burden off flyhalf Wharenui Hawera.

“(Hawera) has been doing the bulk of that over the last couple of weeks, so having Kyle back out there will certainly ease the pressure on ‘Fats’ a little bit,” he said.

“Then just the general skills that Kyle has, he's got a great kicking game, passing game, superb carry and then very strong defensively.

“So, it's the all-round package that he brings.”

As a spectator in recent weeks, Godwin said the Brumbies didn’t need any remarkable change against the Lions, just ensuring that they played the big moments right.

“The last couple of weeks - we're playing really well, I don't think we're doing much wrong,” he said.

“I think it's just those little key moments that we're probably letting ourselves down and we've got to play for that 80 minutes you know.

“There's little key moments where we're probably letting ourselves down with poor execution, skill error or whatever it may be.

“Those are probably the little things that we might have to tighten up.”

Godwin said they would be looking to slow the rampaging Lions down on Friday night.

“We're expecting a very expansive game from them, very quick game as well,” he said.

“They like to play high tempo, so for us it's to try and shut that down and slow that ball down as much as we can.

“You've got to respect the opposition and respect that they're a very classy side but that's a great challenge.

“I'm really looking forward to that challenge and versing some of the best players in South Africa. I'm looking forward to that opportunity to test myself against them."