But ACT coach Jake White says he wants his new generation Brumbies to ''rewrite history and get our own legacy'' as the long-standing rivalry with the Canterbury Crusaders resumes at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

The Brumbies have not played post-season footy since winning the 2004 Super Rugby grand final against the Crusaders at Canberra Stadium.

Three players remain from the epic 47-38 battle of 2004 - Brumbies flanker George Smith and Crusaders stars Dan Carter and Corey Flynn.

The clubs played in three finals between 2000 and 2004.

The Brumbies did not play the Crusaders last year, meaning many of the ACT's young players have never opposed the seven-time champions.

White said it was a chance to make a statement and, despite sitting at the top of the ladder, he felt the new-era Brumbies can use an element of surprise in the blockbuster clash.

''It is unique that these boys haven't played against the Crusaders and they do have an aura because they've got such a fantastic record and a lot of their players are household names and won World Cups,'' White said.

''That's the exciting thing about it. The way we've approached it is that this is a new opportunity for us as a group as well.

''We're trying to rewrite history and get our own legacy going and as much as it's exciting for us to play against them, I'm sure they don't really know what to expect from a Brumbies team as well. It's a great position to be in.''

The last time the teams met was arguably one of the lowest points in Brumbies history.

They had just sacked coach Andy Friend and been thrashed 52-10 by their old rivals in Nelson in New Zealand.

The rivalry flourished in the early competition years.

They first battled for the championship in 2000 in Canberra where the Crusaders had a thrilling 20-19 victory.

The Brumbies beat the Durban Sharks in the 2001 final before playing the Crusaders again the following year and slumping to a 31-13 defeat.

The Brumbies finally had their revenge in 2004 when a team of greats - including Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Smith, Stirling Mortlock, Joe Roff, Owen Finegan and Matt Giteau - toppled the Crusaders in a 47-38 thriller in Canberra.

But since then the Brumbies have failed to make the finals while the Crusaders have continued to be one of the strongest teams in the competition.

''It's the rebuilding of the Brumbies at the moment which is what we're seeing,'' backs coach and former championship-winning fly half Larkham said.

''There's a change in attitude and philosophy here, the structure we're playing with is back to roughly where we started in 1996. There's a better feeling here at the moment.''

The Crusaders have been in the play-offs in all but one season since 1998.

The Brumbies are trying to end an almost decade-long absence from the finals.

Smith, who played in three finals against the Crusaders, said: ''It's hard to compare different eras and different teams. But this Brumbies team, the energy is fantastic and the young guys bring an enthusiasm which is contagious. The way the boys conduct themselves is what you expect from a team which is striving to win a championship.''