ACT Brumbies co-captain Christian Lealiifano says the team wants to deliver a performance to make fans proud, adamant off-field distractions have galvanised the players for their first game in Canberra in almost a month.
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The Brumbies want to put the focus back on rugby when they play the Waikato Chiefs in a huge battle between the early-season top-ranked Australian and New Zealand teams.
Lealiifano says unleashing the Brumbies' back line will be key to toppling the high-flying Chiefs, who boast the best attacking record in the competition, when they clash at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
The Brumbies have been embroiled in off-field drama as the club's key stakeholders go to war and chief executive Michael Jones fights to keep his position.
An extraordinary general meeting called by Canberra club rugby presidents has been shifted to April 21 in accordance with the Brumbies' constitution, while Justice Richard Refshauge is still considering Jones' case against the Brumbies board in the ACT Supreme Court.
Jones, the Brumbies board and the other respondents named in Jones' case are unable to comment and details have been suppressed by Justice Refshauge.
The club presidents are expected to meet on Monday and could withdraw their request for an EGM if they are able to obtain the information they're seeking from the board.
"We've spoken about it a little bit in the way of moving on with our footy," Lealiifano said.
"No one really pays attention to that, we're not worried too much because we don't really know enough about it or understand it, myself included.
"There's no better match up than against a two-time championship side in the Chiefs to have a big game at home. We want to put on a good performance that we can be proud of and to make sure our fans enjoy watching it.
"All things aside, it's about footy at the end of the day and the product we have for our fans."
Lealiifano is just seven points short of reaching the 700 milestone and is the third-highest point scorer in Super Rugby this season with 57 in five matches.
The Chiefs boast the most prolific scorer in Damian McKenzie (85 points) and as a team they're the most dangerous attacking side in the competition with 28 tries in their five games so far.
The Brumbies started their season with a bang, scoring seven tries in an opening-round rout against the Wellington Hurricanes. The try-scoring rate has dropped off, but Lealiifano says they can ignite attacking rugby in the capital.
Winger Joseph Tomane has beaten 19 defenders this year, but he touched the ball just once in the Brumbies' win against the Free State Cheetahs last weekend.
"Hopefully we can get some momentum and get things clicking. We don't need to change our shape or make drastic changes, we just have to stick at it," Lealiifano said.
"The more we can get a consistent set piece and stay in our shape, the better our attack will be.
"The Chiefs are red hot at the moment, they can punish you from everywhere so we have to control that as best we can.
"Last week was a frustrating one for the backs and it was scrappy, but we've spoken about it as a back line in terms of getting our hands on the footy, especially to our danger men.
"We've got guys who can really light it up, so we have to take opportunities when we get them and make the most of them."
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has stuck with the status quo for his starting line-up, making no changes to the team that beat the Cheetahs.
Back-up hooker Josh Mann-Rea rejoins the bench after serving a one-match suspension for punching, while Les Leuluaialii-Makin has also been recalled.
Reserve halfback Joe Powell gets his first chance of the season and an opportunity to impress after signing a new two-year contract three weeks ago.
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.
