Lealiifano will make a surprise cameo for the Vikings when they play their first NRC match against the Perth Spirit on Saturday, using the third-tier competition to launch his bid for Test selection.

Lealiifano will be released from Wallabies camp later this week after being left out of the squad to play the All Blacks in Auckland.

McKellar said Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie's decision to release players to the NRC was the start of a successful run, seven years after the Australian Rugby Championship collapsed following its inaugural season.

"The competition is the real deal, with Ewen's support from releasing players in the first week proves that everyone wants it to be successful," McKellar said.

"Australian rugby has been missing this tier for a long time. We all have to do everything we can to make it work.

"In 2007 the make up of the competition wasn't right. But now with the teams, tribalism and the potential of Wallabies playing ... there will be doubters but I think the majority are excited."

The defunct ARC lasted just one season before crippling financial losses of almost $5 million forced the ARU to end the project.

ARU chief executive Bill Pulver has been the driving force in resurrecting the competition in a new format and with guaranteed revenue streams in place.

It costs about $300,000 to run a team in the NRC, with the ACT Brumbies linking with the Vikings Group and the University of Canberra to be a part of the nine-team competition.

McKellar will name a team on Thursday littered with Brumbies for the opening-round clash against Perth at Viking Park.

Lealiifano adds star power while Fotu Auelua will be captain and speedsters Jesse Mogg and Robbie Coleman are set to take their places in the back line.

Lealiifano hasn't played for the Wallabies since end-of-season ankle surgery last year.

McKenzie has opted to keep Brumbies teammate Matt Toomua at inside centre while Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale are the preferred flyhalf options.

But McKellar will give Lealiifano the goal-kicking duties when he runs out for the Vikings and insists the return to third-tier competition can help Lealiifano push his case for a Test recall.

Lealiifano hasn't played since the Brumbies were knocked out of the Super Rugby title race last month and his usually reliable goal kicking was plagued by inaccuracy all year.

"It's just about getting on the field; there's only so much training you can do," McKellar said.

"It's a chance for Christian to get his confidence up with his kicking and in general play, get his timing right in both attack and defence.

"Christian hasn't played in a while now. He'll play some good minutes on Saturday and hopefully a good performance pushes his chances of getting in the Test side."

Prop Scott Sio will miss the rest of the season after having ankle surgery, which will keep him out of action for three months.

Winger Henry Speight injured his hamstring in the Brumbies' semi-final loss to the NSW Waratahs, but hopes to be back to full running next week and potentially play for the Vikings next month.