"A bit embarrassed, actually," McInerney said. "It's hard to take credit for those. Maybe the outside eye sees the try-scorer.

"But there's so much that needs to go right individually for that to happen. We work so hard on the maul that the last thing we look at is the try-scorer. It all starts at the front and it's hard to take credit ... it's embarrassing to."

But the ACT Brumbies aren't about to shift away from their maul weapon because of an embarrassed hooker.

In fact, they plan to use the effective move to help them clinch a Super Rugby finals berth when they play against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night.

The Brumbies can secure a ticket to the finals if they beat the Waratahs and other results go their way in the second last round of the regular season.

The Brumbies are riding high and will go into the interstate derby having won the past three games between the bitter rivals.

Brumbies winger Henry Speight is in doubt for the clash after suffering a calf injury last weekend, but the Fijian flyer will be given until closer to kick-off to prove his fitness.

BRUMBIES NEWS

McInerney has cemented his place as the back-up hooker to Folau Faingaa he was rewarded with three tries in the Brumbies' bonus-point win against the Japan Sunwolves last weekend.

"All the desire comes from within the group this week," McInerney said. "It's the burning desire in individuals that you can see.

"There are so many Sydney boys in our team who either chose to come here or weren't picked up in NSW. You can see it burning in those boys this week."

The Brumbies (39 points) lead the Australian conference ahead of the Melbourne Rebels (34 points) and the Waratahs (30). They have won their past four games in a row, but haven't won more consecutive games than that since 2007. The Brumbies will earn the right to host a home final if they win the conference.

SUPER RUGBY ROUND 17

Saturday: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Parramatta, 7.45pm.