ACT Brumbies flanker Chris Alcock is racing the clock to be fit to play against the NSW Waratahs on Saturday night after battling concussion symptoms this week.
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The Brumbies will assess Alcock on Thursday morning before naming their team for the crucial Australian derby battle in Sydney.
Powerhouse ball-runner Lolo Fakaosilea looms as a likely inclusion to the starting XV if Alcock is ruled out of a clash against one of his former teams.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham is considering tinkering with his line-up, with Wallabies flanker Scott Fardy set to be injected after being rested last week but prop Scott Sio is still unavailable because of injury.
A host of Brumbies will also have a new look for the arch-rival contest, as some players prepare shave their heads to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.
It's a cause close to Brumbies hearts after skipper Christian Lealiifano was diagnosed with leukaemia last year.
Lealiifano spent 100 days in Melbourne for treatment and a bone-marrow transplant, but is back in Canberra and has stepped into a role as a waterboy while he continues his recovery.
His presence has helped rookie playmaker Wharenui Hawera settle into his role, and Lealiifano even gave the Brumbies' No. 10 a pair of boots last week.
"I think the players have shared the journey with Christian and appreciate how difficult it has been," Larkham said.
"They certainly want to support a cause such as this. Christian has been working very closely with our playmakers and certainly a lot of time with [Hawera].
"Christian certainly adds a bit of composure to the group, and most of the times he comes out with suggestions but [Hawera] has already thought of something.
"He can't always be on the field, but Christian is a guiding hand when he is out there."
The Brumbies sit at the top of the Australian conference after the first three rounds of the season, despite winning just one game.
Beating the Waratahs will send a message to the rest of the competition as SANZAAR officials weigh up the future of Super Rugby and whether to axe teams.
Reports from South Africa suggested two teams would be cut to reduce the competition to 16 franchises.
But a New Zealand report on Wednesday said three teams would be axed, putting two teams from South Africa and one from Australia in the firing line.
Larkham said the players had narrowed their focus to on-field results and were avoiding all distractions, including the uncertainty surrounding the Waratahs' line-up.
The Waratahs lost both games on their two-match trip to South Africa and coach Daryl Gibson has hinted at major changes in a bid to reverse their form.
"We haven't really spoken about who we're going to come up against," Larkham said.
"There might be some changes, but until we get those changes on paper we can only focus on our game."
There will be an extra edge to the Brumbies-Waratahs rivalry as both teams pay respects to Dan Vickerman, who died last month.
The teams will compete for the inaugural Dan Vickerman Cup as a tribute to the former Brumbies, Waratahs and Wallabies lock.
The Brumbies are also set to be bolstered when Saia and Anthony Faingaa return to training on Thursday after being granted leave to be with their families after their father, Saia Senior, died last month.
Saia and Anthony won't be in selection contention this week, but their experience and presence will help the new-look Brumbies prepare for the biggest match of their season.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND FOUR
Saturday: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, 7.45pm.
