But the Brumbies have changed tact this week, traditionally the biggest of their season and known as 'Tah Week', to avoid being emotionally drained before they even get to kick-off on Saturday night.

The hype, passion and interstate hatred has been replaced with measured responses and minimal mention of bashing the Waratahs when they arrive at Canberra Stadium.

"I think we'll wait to get out on the field to see if it's friendly," grinned Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano.

"For this group, we've focused a lot on our game. We haven't been happy with where it's at and we've made some nice steps towards where we want to go in the last game we played."

The Brumbies and Waratahs have a long history of rivalry battles. The Brumbies were the 'little brothers' when Super Rugby was formed in 1996, but they played like giant killers.

They thrived on the notion of being rejects from the bigger states and used that to ignite on-field battles.

The Waratahs had to wait until 2005 to get their first win in Canberra after then coach Ewen McKenzie parked a big blue NSW bus around the capital that week to play mind games on the Brumbies.

"[The history] is always there. Guys that have played here know the history of it, but we haven't touched on it too much. That drains a lot of energy and takes your focus away," Lealiifano said.

"We've taken a different approach this year and we'll leave all that sort of emotional stuff out on the footy field.

"It's the first time in a long time, probably because we're both sitting where we are in the season, that we haven't thought too much about it."

The Brumbies have won the past three games against NSW, but have never beaten the Waratahs four times in a row.

The stage has been set for a blockbuster showdown of Super Rugby bragging rights, momentum and Wallabies spots going on the line.

Lealiifano has a chance to show he's back in Wallabies contention when he goes head to head with Waratahs playmakers Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale.

Then there's Henry Speight v Taqele Naiyaravoro, David Pocock's comeback against Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu against Scott Sio and Tevita Kuridrani squaring off against Curtis Rona.

"[Rona] is a very talented player, I've seen him play No. 13 when he was playing for the [Western] Force," Kuridrani said.

"I've been with him in the Wallabies, trained with him and I'm looking forward to challenge. He hasn't played much No. 13 this year, so it will be good to test him out."

The Brumbies have tinkered with their game plan this year and have struggled to find rhythm and momentum in the first four matches of the season.

Coach Dan McKellar has made just one change to the starting team after rotating six players for the last match, with Pocock the only addition for his first game of the season.

The Waratahs have been rusty as well, but they piled on 51 points against the Australian conference-leading Melbourne Rebels two weeks ago.

Kuridrani says he is still adjusting to the Brumbies' new game plan, which has changed his role from midfield battering ram to add a playmaker role to his position.

"I'm not quite there yet. I started really slow, I haven't played my game that I usually play," Kuridrani said.

"We've been playing a new structure ... hopefully I can keep improving [against the Waratahs]. In the past few years it's always been about being direct, me hitting it up.

"The way we're trying to change it this year is to play what's in front of us, open rugby and trying to get the ball to space. It's new to everyone, but we've been working on it and trying to understand it."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND SEVEN

Saturday: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Brumbies team: 15. Andy Muirhead, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Lausii Taliauli, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Isi Naisarani, 7. David Pocock, 6. Lachie McCaffrey, 5. Rory Arnold, 4. Blake Enever, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Folau Faingaa, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Faalelei Sione, 18. Mees Erasmus, 19. Richie Arnold, 20. Tom Cusack, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Kyle Godwin, 23. Tom Banks.

Waratahs team: 15. Bryce Hegarty, 14. Israel Folau, 13. Curtis Rona, 12. Kurtley Beale, 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Jake Gordon, 8. Jed Holloway, 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Michael Wells, 5. Rob Simmons, 4. Ned Hannigan, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 1. Tom Robertson. Reserves: Hugh Roach, 17. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18. Paddy Ryan, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Will Miller, 21. Mitchell Short, 22. Lalakai Foketi, 23. Alex Newsome.