ACT Brumbies flanker Chris Alcock has waited seven years to taste Super Rugby finals action he's determined to make sure is play-off debut isn't a flash in the pan.
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Alcock will return to the Brumbies' starting XV for an elimination quarter-final against the Wellington Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.
The 29-year-old still has a 15cm cut on his thigh which was almost half a centimetre deep, but nothing was going to stop his finals bid after being agonisingly close in 2010.
Alcock, who is set to move his career to Japan at the end of the season, was the 24th man for the NSW Waratahs in a finals clash against the Cape Town Stormers seven years ago.
"So this the first time I've actually been involved in a final," Alcock said.
"I'm pretty excited actually. We know it's going to be tough against the Hurricanes, they're in form.
"But we're pretty confident - we've played well for the majority of the season but we still haven't put together an 80-minute performance. And if we do that, anything can happen."
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has recalled 10 players, including Alcock, to the starting XV after they were rested for the last game of the regular season.
The Hurricanes are the defending champions and boast the most dangerous attacking combinations in the Super Rugby.
But Alcock is gearing up for his own openside flanker battle against hardman Ardie Savea.
Former Force and Waratahs No. 7 Alcock has enjoyed the best season for his career and was on the radar of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
"Getting the chance to play consistent rugby has really helped," Alcock said.
"I've really enjoyed it over here and this week [against Savea] will be tough, he's a very good play.
"But my only focus is doing what I can for the team. Everyone knows the intensity will go up, you've just got to adapt to it."
SUPER RUGBY QUARTER-FINAL
Friday: ACT Brumbies v Wellington Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium, 7.35pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Brumbies: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Andrew Smith, 11. James Dargaville, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Ben Alexander, 18. Les Leuluailii-Makin 19. Blake Enever, 20. Jarrad Butler, 21. Tomas Cubelli, 22. Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23. Christian Lealiifano.
Hurricanes: 15. Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14. Wes Goosen, 13. Jordie Barrett, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Julian Savea, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara (c), 8. Brad Shields, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Vaea Fifita, 5. Sam Lousi, 4. Mark Abbott, 3. Jeff To'omaga-Allen, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 1. Ben May. Reserves: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Loni Uhila, 19. Reed Prinsep, 20. Callum Gibbins, 21. Te Tairoa Tahuriorangi, 22.Otere Black, 23. Cory Jane.
