While Whites skipper Dan Penca has a burning desire to wear the red of the Canberra Vikings at the end of the ACT John I Dent Cup season, his first mission is beating the Tuggeranong Vikings in a grand-final re-match on Saturday.

The Whites will play four-time defending premiers Tuggeranong at Queanbeyan's Campese Field, the grudge match also marking Queanbeyan's 60th anniversary celebrations.

A Queanbeyan junior who has represented Australia at U19 level, Penca played in Canada last year and missed the inaugural National Rugby Championship with the Canberra Vikings.

The flanker said he felt he could progress further and was keen to represent the Canberra Vikings this year.

"I still think I've got a lot more to offer," Penca said. "There's no hard feelings towards the Vikings, the NRC team just happens to have the Viking badge on the chest. That doesn't worry me, I just want to do my best if I get an opportunity.

"The NRC just brings [club players] into a professional environment and gives you a chance to push to that next level."

Penca has been an inspirational figure at Queanbeyan, helping the club to back to back premierships in 2007 and 2008 and winning a third title in 2010.

He played in the Australian U19s with Pat McCabe, Dan Palmer and Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

The Whites stunned the Vikings in their match earlier this year, inflicting Tuggeranong's only loss of the season.

"It's a huge match and the 60th anniversary will add that little bit extra," Penca said.

"It's starting to heat up between the two teams ... we play club rugby for Queanbeyan and they suit up for Tuggeranong. But when you come together for the NRC you forget all of that stuff."

There were behind-the-scenes rumblings when the initial Canberra Vikings squad was named this month, with 18 Tuggeranong players in the 39-man roster.

It's likely the team's name will be changed to the Canberra Kookaburras next year, but Tuggeranong and Vikings coach Brad Harris wants clubs and players to pull together.

"There's no denying John I Dent Cup rivalries are in the background. But I think that's healthy, we've made it clear training commitment and John I Dent Cup performance will be taken on board."

The NRC squad started strength and fitness testing at ACT Brumbies headquarters last week.

Harris backed Penca to launch his bid for NRC selection.

"The positive thing is there's competition, no one is guaranteed anything,

"Dan has been the heart and soul of Queanbeyan and their success, I've got a very high regard of him and glad he's in that squad. If he plays to his potential, he'll be in with a really good shot."

JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND 10

Saturday: Queanbeyan Whites v Tuggeranong Vikings at Campese Field, Uni-Norths Owls v Gungahlin Eagles at ANU North, Easts v Wests at Griffith Oval.