Allan Alaalatoa still remembers the empty feeling when he trudged back to the Allianz Stadium change rooms.
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The ACT Brumbies had just beaten the NSW Waratahs in the last game of the regular season last year, but the result did little to ease the pain of missing the finals for the first time in seven years.
It was foreign territory for Alaalatoa, who had tasted finals action in every season since making his debut in 2014.
But the Test prop says the frustration of unfinished business will drive the Brumbies to make amends this season and force their way back into Super Rugby title contention.
"We finished on such a high, it was so shattering. A lot of the boys were shattered," Alaalatoa said.
"Having to watch the quarter-finals and the rest of the finals, it made you miss it. Especially the way we finished last year ... we've already touched on needing to start better this year.
"But 100 per cent we can get back in there. All of the fun starts now and we get to aim to get back in there if we can get our day-to-day work and review right."
Making the finals is the first goal for Alaalatoa and the Brumbies this year. But there's a core group of players who are working towards something bigger – the World Cup.
The Super Rugby season will be a 16-game selection battle as players jostle for Wallabies spots before the World Cup in Japan in September.
Alaalatoa, Scott Sio, David Pocock, Pete Samu, Rory Arnold, Rob Valetini, Tom Banks and Folau Faingaa were part of the spring tour squad to Europe at the end of last year.
Joe Powell, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight, Sam Carter and Christian Lealiifano are hoping Brumbies team success can help their individual pursuit of gold jerseys.
Speedster Toni Pulu could also emerge as a Wallabies bolter after leaving the Waikato Chiefs to join the Brumbies.
Alaalatoa, who has re-signed with the Wallabies and Brumbies until 2023, has World Cup rugby in his blood. His father, Vili, played for Samoa at the 1991 tournament and now Alaalatoa hopes to follow his footsteps.
Wallabies' World Cup preparation will be lingering in the background for most of this year. Players missed part of their respective Super Rugby pre-seasons because of a 10-day national training camp and some will be told to skip Super Rugby matches as part of a new resting policy.
But the Brumbies are trying to push Wallabies ambitions to the back of eveyrone's mind. So instead of a gruelling army camp to get everyone fit, coach Dan McKellar took the players to the Snowy Mountains on a soul-enriching trip to bond over their common goal - Super Rugby success.
The players left their boots and gear in Canberra and instead spent time hiking, fishing and around a camp fire.
"It was so beautiful. We're so lucky here in Canberra to have places like the Cotter and Murrumbidgee within 20 minutes," Pocock said.
"It was a really good camp. A chance to disconnect from day-to-day stuff in Canberra and connect as a team. It was amazing to see how everyone stepped out of their comfort zone, and worked together."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE
Friday: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm.
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. David Pocock, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Toni Pulu, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Wharenui Hawera, 23. Andy Muirhead.
Rebels: 1. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Luke Jones, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Will Genia, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Billy Meakes, 13. Tom English, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Esei Haangana, 20. Brad Wilkin, 21. Rob Leota, 22. Michael Ruru, 23. Semisi Tupou.
