ACT Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen says it Is laughable that the NSW Waratahs are claiming underdogs status for their crucial interstate battle at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
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But even with nine players out of action with injury, Mowen said the Brumbies were ready for a dogfight as they battle to keep their Super Rugby title hopes alive.
The Brumbies have been forced into another late reshuffle after Andrew Smith (hamstring) joined a long injury list, meaning Robbie Coleman will start at inside-centre, Clyde Rathbone moves to the wing and Tuggeranong Vikings rookie Rodney Iona gets his first start on the bench.
Waratahs, who sit atop the Australian conference, will play-off berth and a home final if they beat the Brumbies.
Despite the Brumbies having an injury list that includes Matt Toomua, David Pocock, Stephen Moore, Pat McCabe, Sam Carter, Siliva Siliva and Joseph Tomane, the Waratahs have made a play to be the underdogs.
"I think it's laughable – it's definitely interesting," Mowen said. "I think [the Waratahs] are trying to position themselves for obvious reasons. But it doesn't really matter what the status is.
"We lost in Sydney last year and there's a lot more at stake this year, this will be a massive challenge. It's a must win for us – it is for them as well. You want the games at the end of the year to mean a little bit extra ... that's certainly what this game brings."
The Waratahs have just one player, winger Alofa Alofa, who is without Test experience in their starting XV.
The Brumbies have three hookers and six Wallabies out of action.
Rookie hooker Ruaidhri Murphy faces the biggest test of his career when heslips into the No.2 jersey to fillin for Moore, Siliva and Josh Mann-Rea.
TheUlster-bound prop has never played a game as hooker in his career and hasbeen training in the position as injury cover only for the past two months. Murphy has played just six games this season at loose-head prop. The 26-year-old is on a mission to ensure the Brumbies' championship aspirations remain intact for at least one more week.
"Obviously our depth has been challenged, but morale is high and it's as good of a feeling that's been around all year," Murphy said. "It's the business end of the year, we know where we need to be. We won't make any excuses. No one is here that doesn't want to play. To be in and out this year ... it's not ideal but I've worked hard to make sure when I've been called I'm ready to go."
