Brumbies planning strong title challenge

The Brumbies have been a part of the Super Rugby finals series the past three seasons, making the Final in 2013 and the preliminary final in both 2014 and 2015.

Fardy said the squad was under no illusions to what the goal for 2016 is.

"I don't think the goal changes from year to year, we're always here to win the competition." Fardy said.

"We're disappointed we've fallen at the final hurdle the last few years but obviously we take a lot of confidence in the fact we believe our best footy is ahead of us and we're looking forward to a big year."

Fardy, who is entering his fifth season with the Brumbies, returns to pre-season training this week after an eight week hiatus following the Rugby World Cup in England.

The versatile forward played a key role in the Wallabies run to the World Cup Final, starting in all but one of Australia's fixtures throughout the tournament.

After a heartbreaking defeat to the All Blacks ended the Wallabies historic run, Fardy and the rest of his Wallabies teammates took a well-earned rest from rugby.

Fardy said his time away from the sport was important.

"I kind of stepped away from the game for a while, which was great." Fardy said.

"Six or seven weeks off is probably optimum for your time off and we had eight which has been pretty good."

Fardy said he was proud of what he and his teammates achieved with the Wallabies.

"I thought what we [the Wallabies] came from 12 months prior to the World Cup to what we finished at was fantastic," Fardy said.

"Obviously we didn't get the end goal of actually winning the World Cup, but there's a big season ahead with a three test series against England and 15 tests in total this year for us to prepare for now."

For the second year in a row, the Brumbies will attend a training camp in Jindabyne, a good opportunity for the squad to spend some time together as a whole and develop relationships and combinations.

Fardy said the camp is a good way for the squad to bond.

"I think it's good to start with a camp," Fardy said.

"We've had 11 or 12 guys in and out of the squad with Wallabies duties. Spending a few nights together having and breakfast and dinner together every day is great, it's really enjoyable to spend that time together."

The Brumbies will kick off their Super Rugby campaign with a trial match against the Waratahs in Wagga Wagga on February 6.

@BrumbiesRugby