The ACT Brumbies will have to defy Super Rugby history to achieve their championship dream as they prepare for a giant killing run to become the lowest ranked side to win the title in the competition's 18 years.
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But the Brumbies will get a chance to launch their hopes from Canberra in a blockbuster re-match of last year's grand final when they start their play-off campaign against the Waikato Chiefs on Saturday night.
The Brumbies are also on track for a second-round meeting with the NSW Waratahs in Sydney after their thumping 47-25 win against the Western Force and overnight results locked them into fourth place on the ladder.
The Canterbury Crusaders beat the Otago Highlanders in New Zealand, allowing the Brumbies to play at Canberra Stadium next weekend against the two-time defending champion Chiefs.
Just one team in Super Rugby's 18 years - the Crusaders in 1999 - has won the title after finishing the regular season outside the top two spots on the ladder.
The Brumbies finished third last year and had to travel 35,000 kilometres in a month before losing the grand final by five points.
But director of rugby Laurie Fisher says last season's loss to the Chiefs won't be used as motivation for revenge in the first week of the finals.
"[We've learnt] that we're good enough. If we play our best football, we play our game to our standard, then we're good enough to progress further in the competition," Fisher said.
"Last year doesn't play any role in my mind, it's just a side you have to beat to advance. I don't think anyone would spend a second thinking about revenge for the final, that game is lost. You can't win it.
"All you can do is beat the Chiefs next weekend, there's no motivation. Just some learnings, I hope. I think we've got a great belief and if we all believe in the same thing it gives you a great opportunity."
The Brumbies have battled a horror injury toll this season, using 36 players in 16 games and losing Wallabies captains Stephen Moore and David Pocock for the year.
Back-up prop Jean-Pierre Smith hurt a knee against the Force and is set to be out for two weeks. It opens the door for Australian under-20s front-rower Allan Alaalatoa to make his Brumbies debut from the bench.
The Brumbies blew the Force out of the finals race with a seven-try domination and their best performance of the year to reach the play-offs in consecutive seasons for the first time in a decade.
Skipper Ben Mowen admitted the Brumbies needed to improve their discipline if they wanted to make a run to the grand final. Flanker Jarrad Butler was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements on Friday night, becoming the 10th Brumby to be shown a yellow card this season.
The Brumbies also have one of the worst points differentials for the last 20 minutes of games, with Force coach Michael Foley revealing it was a deficiency his team tried to exploit.
"It's disappointing when we lose guys [to the sin bin] because we speak a lot about discipline before the game, but we still want to have a presence on the ball," Mowen said.
"There's a balance point there, we've just got to make sure we're more consistent. We've got good confidence and a lot of belief. Getting into a knockout situation will give the group massive confidence."
In the past the Brumbies have been criticised for kicking too often and turning down attacking chances.
But the Brumbies broke the shackles against the Force to run in seven tries, but Fisher was adamant the team did not change its mentality.
"We weren't dramatically different, sometimes you get the chance to play in more space," Fisher said.
"There were a few more opportunities, but we still kicked 29 times. When you score seven tries people don't complain about you kicking 29 times."
SUPER RUGBY FINALS
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Waikato Chiefs at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm.
TICKET INFORMATION
Members: Tickets for Brumbies members will go on sale at 10am on Sunday via Ticketek. The password for purchasing is on the back of the membership card and is the six digit number above the barcode plus the surname of the card holder. Members can buy additional seats.
General public: Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday at Ticketek.
