Who says size matters? Three of the smallest players on the field in Hamilton on Saturday might have the biggest impact in a Super Rugby showdown between the ACT Brumbies and Waikato Chiefs.
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Brumbies fullback Tom Banks will be trying to breakthrough to score the first try of his career against a New Zealand team, and he only needs to look at the Chiefs for inspiration.
Diminutive Brumbies Banks and Andy Muirhead are following Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie's lead in breaking the perception that you need big outside backs to be perspective.
And in terms of weight, New Zealand rugby's smiling assassin McKenzie makes the Brumbies duo look like giants.
McKenzie is the livewire 80 kilogram star who has transitioned from fullback to flyhalf despite his lack of size, while rookie winger Muirhead is 84 kilograms and Wallaby-in-waiting Banks is 93 kilograms.
They're rare gems in a game usually dominated by size and power. You only have to look at fullback Israel Folau (103 kilograms) or winger Taqele Naiyaravoro (128 kilograms) to realise the trio are proving size doesn't matter.
"[McKenzie] is probably paving the way in that regard," Banks said.
"If you watch his game, he probably breaks more tackles in the competition despite being one of the smaller guys.
"That style of fullback and that style of player are highly valued. So you try to work towards weaving in and around people [rather than running through them]."
Muirhead has scored three tries in the past three games, including the match-sealer against the Wellington Hurricanes last week.
The 24-year-old has taken his chances in the absence of suspended winger Chance Peni, erasing any doubts about his size being a hurdle to reach his Super Rugby goal.
Muirhead gave away 24 kilograms in the battle against 116 kilogram powerhouse Julian Savea last week, but didn't hesitate throwing his body on the line and stopping 'The Bus' in his tracks.
He'll give away another 12 kilograms when he lines up against Toni Pulu as the Brumbies fight to save their season, not that he's ever phased about being written off as "too small".
"I've always been the skinnier outside back. I'm not too sure if that's why I haven't got a chance elsewhere ... I'm just not someone who holds weight. I don't think being light is going to hold me back," Muirhead said earlier this year.
The Chiefs decided to pick McKenzie to play the Brumbies, despite the 23-year-old needing to be rested for one more game before the end of the regular season as part of an agreement with New Zealand Rugby.
New Zealand Rugby manages player work loads at Super Rugby teams during the season and every All Blacks player must be stood down from club duties for two games.
The Brumbies view the decision to pick McKenzie as a nod of respect given the Chiefs have a derby match against the Wellington Hurricanes next week, which will have a major impact on their ladder ranking for the finals.
His unpredictability in the chief-playmaker role adds an extra dimension to the Chiefs' attack, which piled on 42 points in 40 minutes of the first half of their game last week.
The Brumbies, who became last week just the third team in Super Rugby history to score 1000 tries, are starting to find their attacking groove as well.
They've scored 19 tries in the past four games, but Banks says it's the ones they didn't score against the Wellington Hurricanes that have boosted their confidence for the Chiefs.
Banks is the Brumbies leading try-scorer this year with seven from 10 games, but he's yet to cross the line against a New Zealand side.
"I definitely try to break that this weekend," Banks grinned.
"We left a lot of points out there against the Hurricanes, I think we came up just short about four times on their try line. So that gives us confidence, knowing we can still win games after leaving points out there.
"Especially against a quality team like the Hurricanes. So that gives us a lot to build on for Saturday."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 18
Saturday: Waikato Chiefs v ACT Brumbies at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 3.15pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.
Brumbies: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Andy Muirhead, 10. Christian Lealiifano (c), 9. Joe Powell, 8. Isi Naisarani, 7. David Pocock, 6. Tom Cusack, 5. Blake Enever, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Folau Faingaa, 1. Nic Mayhew. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Ben Alexander, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Richie Arnold, 20. Lachlan McCaffrey, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Wharenui Hawera, 23. Lausii Taliauli.
Chiefs: 15. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Toni Pulu, 13. Sean Wainui, 12. Charlie Ngatai, 11. Shaun Stevenson, 10. Damian McKenzie, 9. Brad Weber, 8. Liam Messam, 7. Sam Cane, 6. Luke Jacobson, 5. Tyler Ardron, 4. Michael Allardice, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 2. Nathan Harris, 1. Karl Tu'inukuafe. Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Sam Prattley, 18. Jeff Thwaites, 19. Jesse Parete, 20. Lachlan Boshier, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Marty McKenzie, 23. Johnny Fa'auli.
