If the ARU needed a reminder of why the ACT Brumbies belong in Super Rugby, they only needed to be at Canberra Stadium to watch a bunch of 40-somethings light up the crowd.
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SANZAAR - Super Rugby's governing body - will make an announcement on the competition's future on Sunday night with the Brumbies still in danger of being axed.
It's likely the announcement on Sunday will be on the format of Super Rugby rather than which teams will be jettisoned.
But there is at least a glimmer of hope the uncertainty that has plagued the Brumbies, Western Force and Melbourne Rebels is nearing its end.
The Brumbies rolled out some club legends in the curtain-raiser match at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night, with Jeremy Paul, Andrew Walker, Stephen Larkham and Radike Samo leading the ACT legends.
It was a perfectly timed message of the Canberra club's rich history and long list of champion players, and Paul passionately defending the Brumbies' future.
"The Brumbies have been the most successful team in Australia, they can't be kicked out of Super Rugby," said former hooker Paul.
"If this was [NRL club] the Canberra Raiders, I would be the first one to say that they can't be moved out of Canberra.
"Canberra will not get an A-League side, it will not get an AFL side ... the ACT government needs to step in. As simple as that.
"The Brumbies have taken Canberra international. It's not just about a rugby side, it's about Canberra. The Brumbies have been the fabric of the capital. Canberra has to unite and make sure this team stays here."
Some of the ex-Brumbies were on weary legs as a surprisingly big pre-game crowd rolled into the stands to take a back to the future trip to the club's glory years.
Matt Henjak directed play from scrumhalf, Samo looked looked like he could run around in Super Rugby and Walker showed he's still got some magic.
But the biggest cheer was for Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham, one of the club's favourite sons and a two-time Super Rugby champion.
Larkham made a cameo appearance in the last 10 minutes, taking a break from his team's preparation to play the Queensland Reds to turn back the clock.
The only problem was he was injured in his first tackle, dislocating a finger but bravely playing on to kick a conversion after the siren.
The Brumbies contemplated luring 43-year-old Walker out of retirement earlier this year when they were hit with pre-season injuries.
"It was so good to be back here," Walker said.
"I probably had the itch to play again a few months ago, but not now. That was my first run in 15s for a while and I thoroughly enjoyed it."
