The Brumbies resumed training on Tuesday refreshed and ready to finish pre-season strongly after a 10 day break for Christmas and New Year.

While many of the boys returned to home towns around NSW, Victoria, New Zealand and Queensland to enjoy some down time, focus has shifted from relaxing to finishing pre-season on a high as the February 4 trial date against the Force looms closer.

As one of the team’s key playmakers for the 2012 Super Rugby season, Christian Lealiifano was pleased to be back into training having ventured down to Melbourne visiting family during the break.

"Pre-season hasn't finished yet, we all knew there would be plenty more hard work to get through once things started up again," Lealiifano said.

"It's ok to enjoy a bit of mum’s cooking but it's all about balance. We're hoping all that hard work pays off.

"The coaching staff gave us a lot of structure in what we could eat and how active we needed to be too over the break and I think the results will speak for themselves."

Lealiifano will combine with one of the youngest backlines in the competition this year and at the ripe old age of 25 will be a leader from week one.

Training in 35 degree heat on Tuesday was tough, but Lealiifano said it was nothing compared to the task facing the team during 2012.

"Coming back to training fresh and enthusiastic is really important after Christmas particularly when you consider how young our backline will be this year," Lealiifano said.

"I'm excited about the challenges that lay ahead and I'm confident the hard work being done now will pay off later."