But while the clash is a perfect chance to show he can handle a hostile environment, Sio insists his Wallabies ambitions are on hold as the Brumbies chase a championship berth.

The Brumbies are aiming to defy history by beating the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday morning, Australian time, to win a place in the grand final. If they do, they will be the first team to beat the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in a finals match.

Sio, 21, admitted the task of beating the Bulls and their 50,000 fans was daunting. But the fringe Test front-rower said the Brumbies' ''tight bond'' would boost their title hopes. ''Over the past two years we've formed really tight bonds and that's why our game plan has been so effective,'' Sio said.

''Everyone has bought into it. It's a team chemistry that we've got and it's going to be the biggest thing for us, being able to draw on each other in the tough times.

''We're under no illusion, we know it's going to be tough. It can be overwhelming if you don't approach it in the right way, so we have to get that spot-on.''

Sio is pushing his claims to be included in new coach Ewen McKenzie's first Wallabies squad.

Sio, a former NSW Waratahs junior, has not spoken with McKenzie since he took over the coaching reins from Robbie Deans earlier this month. But he hopes strong performances in the finals will help him continue his rise to earn his first Test cap.

Despite playing fewer than 20 Super Rugby matches, Sio was called into the Wallabies' extended squad for the series against the British and Irish Lions.

He has only secured a regular place in the game-day 22-man Brumbies squad this season and has a handful of starting appearances to his name. But his scrummaging was crucial in ensuring the Brumbies beat the Cheetahs.