Vaea can be Australian rugby's No.8 force, says Palu Chris Dutton Brumby Ita Vaea is banging on the Wallabies' door, says Wycliff Palu.
The NSW Waratahs say Wycliff Palu can add spark and punch to a brutal battle against the ACT Brumbies, but the Wallabies veteran faces his Tongan apprentice at Canberra Stadium. 
Palu will complete his shock comeback to Australian rugby on Friday night when he joins a beefed-up Waratahs bench for a crucial Super Rugby derby.
The 57-Test Wallaby was set to walk away from Test rugby and the Waratahs after the World Cup last year. In his absence the Wallabies opted for a super flanker combination of David Pocock and Michael Hooper at the back of the scrum for the World Cup.
But Australian rugby needs a big ball-carrying back-rower who can damage the opposition defensive line, and Brumbies No.8 Ita Vaea fits the requirements.
An injury twist delayed Palu's move to Japan and opened the door for him to train in Sydney and sign with the Waratahs on a bargain extended player squad contract worth just $50,000.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said Palu was back to his powerful best for the match.
However, Palu is aware he's going into battle against a younger version of himself - recharged Brumbies wrecking ball Vaea.
Palu has hinted at his desire to wear Wallabies gold again, but Vaea is banging down the door after recovering from life- threatening blood clots.
"Ita just has to concentrate on consistently playing well. I've watched him run around and I've got a lot of respect for him," Palu said.
"He was playing really well before he got the blood clots and now he's back to that same form. To come back from something like that, it's massive.
"I think he's a lot fitter than when I was younger. He's just got to go back to back now, that's his biggest challenge.
"A lot of defenders underestimate his footwork but that's where he does some damage around the field."
Palu is part of a six-two forwards- backs split on the Waratahs bench as they travel to Canberra for early season bragging rights. The Brumbies have made two changes, with Wallabies prop Scott Sio returning to the starting side and lock Blake Enever replacing last season's rookie of the year, Rory Arnold.