Saia Faingaa jumped in his car to "go home" to the ACT Brumbies and reignite his Canberra rugby career a decade after he started as a dreadlocked teenager.

The only problem was the hooker was stuck in a time warp and turned up to the club's former base in Griffith, where Faingaa started his career in 2006, instead of the other side of town with his new teammates.

"I've driven past there because that's where I thought we were based out of; it's happened three times," Faingaa grinned.

"I've made a couple of mistakes and had to do the 45-minute drive, but I love it. It's so good to be home. It couldn't have worked out better to come back here and start rebuilding again."

Faingaa is back in the capital to rewind the clock, living with his mum, sister, wife and children, Sienna and Saia jnr, in Queanbeyan and taking a chance at a fresh start with the Brumbies.

His twin brother Anthony will join him in January as the pair resume their Brumbies dream seven years after they went to the Queensland Reds as a package deal.

The brothers and best friends are inseparable, sharing their schoolboy days at St Edmund's College, their Super Rugby debut year, their Wallabies debut year, a Twitter account and championship memories.

For the bulk of their careers they've always organised their contracts together so as to continue a childhood dream of playing alongside each other.

When Anthony left the Brumbies in 2009 to sign with the Queensland Reds, Saia turned down an offer to stay in Canberra to join his brother.

But this year, for the first time, they were prepared to move in different directions as different options were thrown their way. Anthony was ready to move to Japan while Saia was part of a hooker swap with Stephen Moore to join the Brumbies.

However, a conversation between Saia and Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham will see them reunited in Canberra and family is one of the main reasons for their success.

"We thought we'd have to split up one day, but we talked to [Larkham] and he thought Anthony had other offers," Saia said.

"There were times when people would try to split us apart. A lot of people say we should grow up and that sort of stuff.

"But we enjoy each other's company, we have fun. Money comes and goes, but family stays. Anthony going to Japan [to play before joining the Brumbies] is the longest we've been apart.

"But we still talk every day ... we're 30 years old and we haven't really been apart. But he won't be moving back in home, there's a line."

The twins grew up with three more brothers and a sister in their Queanbeyan home. Younger brother Colby also played for the Brumbies before moving to the Melbourne Rebels.

"I'm back in with the family again and it's so good ... babysitters whenever you want," Saia laughed.

"I never thought I would come back to Canberra to play again. It's a bit of mayhem in the house but my mum loves it, and my grandma's even worse. She's having sleepovers.

"The best thing about it is just being home. I really did miss the closeness of Canberra for rugby and for life."

The twins were just 19 when they broke into a Brumbies team of champions, which boasted Larkham, George Gregan, George Smith and Stirling Mortlock among others.

Fast forward 10 years and they're returning as they only two players in the Brumbies' 35-man squad with Super Rugby championship-winning experience and they're desperate to help a new generation.

The Faingaas were crucial cogs in the Reds' 2011 title-winning side, helping Quade Cooper and Will Genia guide Queensland to its first championship.

Part of Faingaa's mission in Canberra is helping young players cope with the stresses of Super Rugby and taking them under his wing like some of the greats of the game did to him.

But the other part of his decision to come home is a chance to prove he's not a spent force after two years plagued by injuries.

The 29-year-old is adamant he's got plenty of fire left in the tank after breaking his hand and ribs last year and having foot surgery this year.

"I'm not here just to fill a gap left by Stephen [Moore], I want to take it forward," Faingaa said.

"I want to prove myself. I know I haven't had the best two years so I want to prove some people wrong, enjoy my rugby again and be the player I've always wanted to be.

"I want to get back to good old habits rather than getting injured again. I'm in the best head space I've been in for a long time.

"For me to come back, I want to bring that winning culture and enhance it. The biggest thing I want to show is that nothing is untouchable, we're just on the cusp here at the Brumbies."

The Brumbies desperately need leadership in the absence of Moore, David Pocock, Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano, who is unlikely to play next year because of illness.

Faingaa could be the surprise signing to add stability to the roster and big-game experience for a new-look side.

"I had big Radike Samo, Jone Tawake, Mark Gerrard and George Smith looking after me when I started, that was a life-changer for me," Faingaa said.

"We'd go for lunch and they'd pay, it was awesome.

"Now I'm back and I've got to look after the young blokes and 10 turn up when you put the word out."​