ACT Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has called on fans to back his team for a charge to the championship by filling the Canberra Stadium stands two weeks in a row.
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The Brumbies will play against the Queensland Reds on Saturday night in their last game of the regular season before hosting a week-one final at the same venue next weekend.
But the club is in danger of slumping to its lowest average crowd numbers in Super Rugby history and if the trend continues, home-ground advantage could end up costing the Brumbies more than $100,000.
McKellar hoped supporters would rally for his players, particularly after hitting a purple patch of form to win seven of the past eight games.
The Brumbies could equal a club record winning streak if they beat the Reds, while they are also chasing a seventh consecutive win in Canberra.
"You can just see on social media that there's a real positive vibe about the Brumbies at the moment," McKellar said.
"That's something we're really proud of. We know we've delivered up until this point in time on the field, but we've got four more weeks to go and we want to keep rolling along."
BRUMBIES NEWS
Brumbies crowd numbers have dropped this season, with an average of just 8332 turning up to each of the seven home games so far.
It's hoped the team's winning form, an Australian derby and the club's inaugural Pasifika round will help generate more interest before the play-offs start.
If it fails, the Brumbies are staring at the prospect of losing $100,000 by hosting a final because home teams have to pay the visiting team $75,000.
McKellar has made several changes for the last round, calling on fresh faces, including flanker Jahrome Brown, for a spark against the Reds and a chance to prove themselves before the finals. Brown signed a two-year contract two weeks ago after starting the season as an unknown.
"It's a great Brumbies story. Jahrome has delivered every week, you just get consistent performance and he's a smart footballer," McKellar said. "He's shown he belongs at this level."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 18
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Brumbies: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. James Slipper, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Murray Douglas, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Len Ikitau, 23. Jordan Jackson-Hope.
Reds: 1. JP Smith, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Harry Hockings, 6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 7. Liam Wright, 8. Angus Scott-Young, 9. Scott Malolua, 10. Matt McGahan, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Samu Kerevi, 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 14. Jock Campbell, 15. Bryce Hegarty. Reserves: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Ruan Smith, 18. Gav Luka, 19. Caleb Timu, 20. Scott Higginbotham, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Duncan Paia'aua, 23. Sefa Naivalu.