Getting bragging rights over a childhood friend looms as the perfect way for Tom Banks to end a roller coaster year.
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Banks will have a chance to rectify his heartbreaking World Cup omission when the Canberra Vikings take on the Western Force in the National Rugby Championship decider in Perth on Saturday.
It's also a chance to get one up on his future ACT Brumbies teammate, roommate and childhood friend Isaak Fines.
The fleet-footed fullback says they'll be plenty of banter at UWA Sports Park after Fines and Harry Lloyd signed deals to return to Canberra for the 2020 Super Rugby season.
Banks and Fines will go from being rivals to roommates in a matter of weeks with the Brumbies set to kick off their Super Rugby preparations in November.
But Banks has narrowed his focus to NRC form to help the Vikings claim their maiden championship title.
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"We've been building for it. It was always the goal to get here with the squad we have," Banks said.
"A lot has been said about not having won [an NRC title] yet around the team. We probably should have in the last few years but we really need to put in a good performance and capitalise on this one.
"I definitely think the players we've got in this squad are one of the better squads we've had, but I think the cohesion of the team throughout the year has been really good."
Banks will start in the Vikings' No. 15 jersey as Rugby Australia search for a new Wallabies coach and come to terms with their ugly World Cup exit in Japan.
The 25-year-old came agonisingly close to fulfilling his World Cup dream before being cut from Cheika's squad on the eve of the tournament.
Canberra have been the main beneficiaries of World Cup omissions with Banks, Joe Powell, Pete Samu, Toni Pulu and Rob Valetini turning their disappointment into star power for the Vikings.
Pulu and Valetini have been ruled out of the championship decider with injury, but the remaining trio have a chance to end their roller coaster season on a high.
"It was quite disappointing to not be involved with the Wallabies at the end of the year but to cap it off with an NRC grand final would be good," Banks said.
"I've really enjoyed coming back to NRC, it's probably been some of the more enjoyable footy this year."
Banks' return to the Vikings was marred by a 45-28 loss to the Force in round four, but the fullback is confident Canberra can continue their four match winning streak.
"That was one of the turning points of the season," Banks said.
"We reviewed it well and really took a step back to work on what we needed to work on.
"We're expecting much of the same as last time being the same venue. We know what they're going to bring; they're a really strong, defensive team and they're going to put pressure on us. We need to execute what we can."
NRC
Grand final: Western Force v Canberra Vikings in Perth, Saturday 3pm (AEST)
Vikings: 1. Bo Abra 2. Lachlan Lonergan 3. Angus Wagner 4. Blake Enever (C) 5. Nick Frost 6. Pete Samu 7. Will Miller 8. Angus Allen 9. Ryan Lonergan 10. Noah Lolesio 11. Mack Hansen 12. Irae Simone 13. Len Ikitau 14. Tom Wright 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. TP Luteru 17. Fred Kaihea 18. Tom Ross 19. Will Sankey 20. Luke Gersekowski 21. Joe Powell 22. Bayley Kuenzle 23. Lincoln Smith