ACT Brumbies skipper Sam Carter said his team was guilty of "falling in love with ourselves" before its last clash against the Melbourne Rebels, adamant the players won't make the same mistake again.
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The Brumbies can all but secure a Super Rugby finals spot if they get revenge against the Rebels at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.
But the Rebels loom as a bogey team for the Australian conference leaders and they haven't forgotten an ambush in Melbourne almost eight weeks ago.
The Rebels only win of the season was a 19-17 upset against the Brumbies in April as they ended the ACT's 10-game unbeaten run against Australian teams.
It was also the start of the Brumbies' four-game losing streak, but they've rebounded in the past two weeks to be perfectly positioned to clinch a fifth consecutive play-off berth.
"I think we took it for granted last time [against the Rebels], we were coming off a really good win [against the Queensland Reds] the week before," Carter said.
"I think we fell in love with ourselves a little bit and really underestimated the Rebels in Melbourne.
"They were really up for it that night and we got rolled. We're definitely not doing that again this time.
"We addressed [falling in love with ourselves] earlier in the week, even thought we've had some distractions and we've been around the world over the last couple of weeks, we want a good performance."
The Brumbies will all but seal a guaranteed finals spot if they beat the Rebels and the NSW Waratahs fail to end a 25-game trans-Tasman losing streak for Australian teams.
The under-siege Rebels have been a thorn in the side of Brumbies team since they joined Super Rugby in 2011.
The Rebels' inaugural win was against the Brumbies in that same year, and the result was the catalyst for the Brumbies axe coach Andy Friend after just two rounds.
The Brumbies insist they'll show the Rebels due respect this week despite the Melbourne side sitting at the bottom of the Australian conference table.
But the Rebels have never won back to back game against the Brumbies, and there will be plenty of motivation for Carter's men as Wallabies selection and finals preparation goes on the line.
Eight Brumbies, including Carter, were named in the Wallabies squad earlier this week and will go into camp in Melbourne next week for a mid-year Test series.
"It was a massive moment to be called up again, it's something I've been working towards," Carter said.
"But it's irrelevant at the moment until after the game on Saturday night. I'm constantly trying to improve my game and become more consistent."
Wallabies selection added another distraction to the Brumbies' preparation after a two-game tour to South Africa and Argentina, as well as Dan McKellar being unveiled as the club's new coach on Friday.
Departing coach Stephen Larkham has made just one change to the starting XV, with prop Ben Alexander ruled out of what would have been a club record appearance.
Tom Banks has been retained at fullback with Aidan Toua on the wing and Banks backed combinations to continue firing after scoring nine tries in the past two games.
"We had a good tour and I think the back line is coming together ... I think we showed that overseas," Banks said.
"Losing against the Rebels last time was hard to take so we really want to turn that around."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 15
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Brumbies team: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Aidan Toua, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Nic Mayhew. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Faalelei Sione, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Jarrad Butler, 21. De Wet Roos, 22. Andrew Muirhead, 23. Nigel Ah Wong.
Rebels team: 15. Reece Hodge, 14. Sefa Naivalu, 13. Tom English, 12. Mitch Inman, 11. Marika Koroibete, 10. Ben Volavola, 9. Nic Sirzaker, 8. Amanaki Mafi, 7. Colby Faingaa, 6. Hugh Sinclair, 5. Lopeti Timani, 4. Steve Cummins, 3. Tyrel Lomax. 2. James Hanson, 1. Toby Smith. Reserves: 16. Siliva Siliva, 17. Cruze Ah Nau, 18. Laurie Weeks, 19. Culum Retallick, 20. Will Miller, 21. Ben Meehan, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Jonah Placid.
