Thousands of phones started ringing around the capital on Thursday with a message from prop Scott Sio, who is stuck in the middle of a club versus country debate.

Sio's recorded message urged fans to "show your support for the boys" by buying a ticket to the Brumbies' clash against the Japan Sunwolves on Sunday.

The Wallabies haven't shown their "support for the boys", asking the Brumbies withdraw Sio, David Pocock and Allan Alaalatoa from selection this week to rest them from a looming Test series.

The Brumbies will deny that request on Friday when they name the trio in their team and this stink is exactly why it's time Canberra showed its support for the Super Rugby club.

Sio is one of the next five reasons in a '15 for 15' series about why rugby fans should buy a ticket to the Brumbies' clash against the Sunwolves.

The other four reasons are simple: Pocock, Alaalatoa, coach Dan McKellar and chief executive Michael Thomson.

The Brumbies are locked in a tense stand-off with Rugby Australia, with neither side willing to budge on player availability. The Wallabies want the trio rested, a reasonable request if every team was asked to make the same sacrifice.

But they weren't and the Brumbies are standing firm for the capital.

The three players are believed to have expressed their desire to play against the Sunwolves. McKellar isn't backing down from his stance to pick them in his team on Friday. And Thomson is standing firm in support.

The reality of the situation is Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is concerned about a six-day turnaround before the first Test and giving the Brumbies every chance to be fit.

The request came just nine days before the game, despite the draw being public for eight months. It was hoped the Brumbies would agree and see the decision as "in the best interests of Australian rugby".

But the perception is that the Wallabies and Rugby Australia are picking on Canberra.  That's OK because it's a scenario the Brumbies know well.

The club was formed in 1996 with a mix of Canberra talent and rejects from Brisbane and Sydney who weren't good enough to play for the Reds or the Waratahs.

The Brumbies developed into the most powerful club in Australia, but they've lost that aura in recent years, especially this season. Brumbies fans could feel the decline. That's why they haven't turned up.

But the stance of the 'Brumbies five' against the Wallabies request is a throwback to the glory years. A message to Canberra fans, saying: "we won't be pushed around".

The sad thing is there never should have been a fight between the Brumbies and the Wallabies. The real fight should have been between Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby after the Pete Samu eligibility debacle.

The twist is that the divide between the Wallabies and the Brumbies could rally fans in Canberra. Deciding not to go to the game doesn't hurt Rugby Australia or the Wallabies, but it could kill the Brumbies.

Thomson and chariman Phil Thomson have warned the club may be forced to fold if low crowds continue, with average attendances at their lowest spot in 22 years.

The club has set an ambitious target of trying to attract a crowd of 15,000 to Canberra Stadium for the 4.05pm fan-friendly kick-off.

They will donate $15,000 to charities ($5000 each to OzHarvest, Lifeline Canberra and Give me five for kids) if they reach their crowd tally.

There's also lucky-door prizes for ticket upgrades, merchandise giveaways, autograph ally, a smoking ceremony to recognise Mabo Day and fans on the field at half-time.

But if you're still not sure, think about the stance the Brumbies have taken this week and if Canberra will stand with them.

SUPER RUGBY ROUND 16

Sunday: ACT Brumbies v Japan Sunwolves at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm. Tickets available from Ticketek. Fans will be allowed on to the field after the game.

* The Brumbies will donate $15,000 to charities if they reach their crowd target of 15,000. The money will be divided evenly between Lifeline Canberra, OzHarvest and Give me five for kids.