Stowers has signed with the ACT Brumbies for the remainder of the Super Rugby AU season.

He will train with the Brumbies full-time, but if not selected in the match-day squad, the 26-year-old will turn out for the Wildfires in the Shute Shield.

The finals-bound Brumbies, who sit second of the Super Rugby AU table, have the bye this weekend and Stowers will play for the Wildfires against West Harbour at Concord Oval on Saturday.

"It shows that you can earn higher honours from Newcastle," Coleman said. "There is no taking away from the fact that Henry Stowers in as incredible player. We haven't been involved in much of his development, but it shows that you don't have to be in Sydney to get noticed. You just have to be playing Shute Shield."

Stowers joined the Wildfires this season from the Western Force, for whom he racked up seven Super Rugby appearances.

The 26-year-old tackle-buster described his first week of training at the Brumbies as tough.

"I haven't been at that level in six months," he said. "I know what to do, I just need my body to catch up. My muscle memory will kick in soon."

Stowers could have stayed in Canberra and kept up his match-fitness by playing in the club competition in the national capital.

"I didn't want to be affliliated with a club down there," he said. "I am doing the drive back and forth. It's huge but I want to come home. I am grateful for the opportunity. If something more comes of it, it comes. I call Newcastle home now."

Stowers moves from blindside to openside breakaway for the Wildfires against West Harbour. OJ Noah comes in at six in the only change to the side which conceded two late tries to go down 23-3 to Norths last round.

"I won't be on many highlights," Stowers said. "I will be doing the dirty work. It will show the Brumbies that I can cover all three [back-row positions]."

West Harbour have conceded more than 50 points in each of their opening losses to Randwick (52-17) and Sydney University (57-15).

"We are excited," Stowers said. "We should have put more points on the board against Norths. We know how good we can be. It didn't show up in the first game or in pre-season or even in Saturday's game. The more we play together ... we are going to be good."

The Brumbies host the Super Rugby AU qualifying final on May 1. Super Rugby Trans Tasman, which includes a three-week stint in New Zealand for games against the Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues, starts on May 14.

Stowers has been brought into the squad as cover for injured trio Tom Cusack, James Tucker and Pete Samu .

"I have been in professional teams and know how it works," Stowers said. "No-one holds your hand. It is sink or swim. I just go in and do my thing."

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "We're really thankful to be able to call on someone of Henry's experience at this stage of the competition.

"He's a player who knows what it takes at this level and he's come in really keen to learn and improve and be part of the Brumbies organisation."

Meanwhile, the Wildfires women host Warringah at Passmore Oval on Saturday.

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