Just days after the capital was abuzz when snow started falling around the city, the winter cold prompted fears that early morning frost could affect the ability to prepare Canberra Stadium for four games in less than 24 hours next week.

A likely Brumbies move to the unfamiliar 6pm would see fans scrambling out of the office and making a cross-town dash to the stadium for a finals fixture before the Canberra Raiders host three rugby league games at the venue the following day.

The Brumbies first need to keep their championship dreams alive when they play the Western Force in Canberra on Saturday night.

If they can secure Australia's guaranteed ticket to the finals, officials have put in place contingency plans for a packed schedule in the capital.

Australia's top-ranked team will play a home final in the first week of the play-offs, with the match also carrying the benefit of a financial boost from gate takings.

However, the Raiders, their NSW Cup affiliate Mounties and under-20s side will play three televised matches at Canberra Stadium on Saturday (July 23).

The matches start at 10.40am due to the Raiders' kick-off at 3pm and none of the games can be moved to other venues because they are being televised.

If the Brumbies were to kick-off at the regular time of 7.40pm on Friday night, ground staff fear a frost would make it impossible for them to get line markings and sponsors painted on to the field before the Raiders' under-20s start at 10.40am.

One solution was shifting a potential Brumbies' final to Sunday afternoon, similar to the move made three years ago when the Brumbies beat the Free State Cheetahs.

But SANZAAR – Super Rugby's governing body – is keen to fill the Friday-night timeslot on television and was also concerned about international travel if the match was held on a Sunday.

The result was a frantic negotiation period where it was all but agreed the Brumbies would begin their game at 6pm if they advance.

Brumbies interim chief executive Phil Thomson urged supporters to fill the stands against the Force and for any finals match.

"We need as much public support and people coming to the game. It's great for the players to look around the stadium and see as many people there," Thomson said.

"It's a very important game this week [against the Force] ... we need people to grab a blanket and come along."

The first task for the Brumbies is their clash against the Force. If they win the match and secure a bonus point for winning by three tries or more, they will advance to the finals.

However, the Brumbies' path to the play-offs will become clearer when the NSW Waratahs play the Auckland Blues on Friday night.

The Brumbies only have to match any result the Waratahs get against the Blues to play in the finals for a fourth consecutive season given the teams are locked on the ladder on 39 competition points.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has made just one change to his line-up, promoting Ruan Smith to tighthead prop for his 50th game and shifting Ben Alexander to the bench.

It is hoped David Pocock will be back for the first week of finals if the Brumbies stay alive for a capital double-header.

The Raiders were willing to do whatever was needed to accommodate a 7.40pm start for the Brumbies, including delaying the start of the under-20s and NSW Cup matches.

But the Super Rugby travel and needing a match on Friday night led to the early kick-off.

"The stadium is working with the Brumbies around the scheduling for a proposed final and is keeping the Raiders, as another key stakeholder, informed of scheduling arrangements," an ACT government spokesperson said.

SUPER RUGBY ROUND 17

Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Western Force at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Nigel Ah Wong, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. James Dargaville, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8 Michael Wells, 7. Jarrad Butler, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Ruan Smith, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Ben Alexander, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Tom Staniforth, 21. Joe Powell, 22. Andrew Smith, 23. Lausii Taliauli.

Force team: 15. Dane Haylett-Petty, Marcel Brache, Ben Tapuai, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Luke Morahan, 10. Jono Lance, 9. Ian Prior. 8. Richard Hardwick, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Brynard Stander, 5. Rory Walton, 4. Ross Haylett-Petty, 3. Guy Millar, 2. Harry Scoble, 1. Pek Cowan. Reserves: 16. Anaru Rangi, 17. Francois van Wyk, 18. Jermaine Ainsley, 19. Matt Philip, 20. Kane Koteka, 21. Ryan Louwrens, 22. Peter Grant, 23. Semisi Masirewa

BRUMBIES FINALS SCENARIOS