Forget the back-room drama and turn up for a blockbuster trans-Tasman battle. That's ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham's message to the club's supporters as they prepare for a huge clash against the Waikato Chiefs.
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The Brumbies coaches and players have pushed aside off-field controversy to focus on playing their first game at Canberra Stadium in almost a month.
Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones is still waiting on Justice Richard Refshauge to make a ruling on his case against the club's board, University of Canberra vice-chancellor Stephen Parker, Joe Roff and David Lamont in the ACT Supreme Court.
But the focus will be back on rugby when the players return to the field, and Larkham urged fans to pack the stands to watch the early-season top-ranked Australian and New Zealand teams go hammer and tongs.
More than 33,000 fans filled the stadium for the Brumbies' first two home games of the year.
"Just like the players, [for the fans] the focus is on the game and when they come out here it's not about anything happening behind the scenes, it's about watching a great game of rugby," Larkham said.
"We've spoken about changing our game this year to improve our attack. We felt last year our defence was the best its ever been and stats show that.
"That in itself will create a better atmosphere for the fans ... the fans so far this year have been amazing. We had over 20,000 for the [game against the NSW Waratahs] last month and it was one of the best ever atmospheres I've seen at Canberra Stadium."
The Brumbies are back in the capital after winning two of their three games on a road trip to Perth, Cape Town and Bloemfontein.
They have won four of their five games this season and are holding on to a narrow lead in the Australian conference.
But there is tension off the field, with Jones fighting the board's decision to stand him down and local club presidents calling an extraordinary general meeting for April 21 in an attempt to get answers.
Asked if it had been a distraction, Larkham said: "There was obviously a bit of turbulence off the field and we heard about that in Africa. But we had a good focus there and it's the same here.
"We've focused on putting everything into this game. I'm very confident the boys will be able to focus on their rugby."
Brumbies co-captain Stephen Moore reiterated Larkham's view, and said: "We've tried hard to keep everyone focused on what's important and away from everything else going on.
"It's obviously not possible to block it all out because the guys are interested in what goes on at their own place of work, but it's not something we can control. The fans are the most important part in this, [the game] is an opportunity for us to do something they can be proud of and feel good about."
Larkham has picked the same starting XV that beat the Free State Cheetahs last weekend, sticking with combinations before the Brumbies have a bye next week.
Rookie scrumhalf Joe Powell has been included on the bench for his first game of the season and gets his first opportunity to shine after signing a contract until the end of 2018.
The Chiefs pose a massive threat to the Brumbies' solid start to the season, boasting the best attacking record in the competition so far this year.
They scored seven tries in the second half of their demolition against the Western Force last weekend and are riding high at the top of the overall ladder.
"The Chiefs are definitely an 80-minute team, even if you look back to the 2013 grand final [between the Brumbies and Chiefs], we lost the game in the last 20 minutes," Moore said.
"The back end of the game is critical and we know we've got the guys to come on and make a difference.
"We're looking forward to being back here, it's a big game and we're happy to be at home."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND SIX
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Waikato Chiefs at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Robbie Coleman, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. Joseph Tomane, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8. Ita Vaea, 7. David Pocock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Rory Arnold, 4. Sam Carter, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Jordan Smiler, 21. Joe Powell, 22. James Dargaville, 23. Nigel Ah Wong.
