Pete Samu says the ACT Brumbies have "drawn a line in the sand" as they hunt for an interstate clean sweep ahead of a Queensland Reds showdown on home turf.
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The only thing standing between the Brumbies and wins over every Super Rugby AU rival is Queensland, with the competition's top two teams to collide at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
The Brumbies have toppled the Melbourne Rebels, pipped the NSW Waratahs in a thriller and completed a comprehensive shutout of the Western Force at Leichhardt Oval this past weekend.
The win marked the first time the Brumbies had held an opposition side scoreless since March 14, 2015 - now Samu has challenged his teammates to rise to an even bigger task.
The match doubles as a chance for the Brumbies' No. 8 to press his Wallabies claims on a collision course with Reds counterpart Harry Wilson - the rising star who has earned plenty of praise this year.
MORE RUGBY UNION
The Brumbies sit four points clear of the second-placed Reds on the competition ladder, with their looming clash this week set to mark the halfway point of the 10-round season.
Both sides are looking to maintain an unbeaten start but a win for the Brumbies would set them on course for a first place finish.
Samu says the Brumbies' forward pack has finally found its rhythm at the set piece as they prepare to face the side widely regarded as their toughest test.
"We were a bit scratchy there in those areas in the first couple of games. It was a step up against the Force, we've drawn a line in the sand there," Samu said.
"We know we can get better. We knew the Force coming back into the competition would be trying to make a statement. We knew they were going to come out firing and to hold them to nil was a big effort from our boys.
"We didn't want to hold back in the wet weather. The boys used their skill and we held them to zero which was good. Everyone is focusing on doing their job and that's helping everyone else out.
"It gives us a lot of confidence. We were a bit scratchy in the first couple of games, and to grind out a win last week [against the Waratahs] really showed how much the boys cared.
"To get the win [against the Force] gives us heaps of confidence leading into the Reds next week. It'll be good to be back at home.
"Hopefully it's not too cold but I think that would work in our favour, so it should be good."
In-form Brumbies winger Tom Wright says the revitalised set piece is allowing the club's star-studded back line to flourish.
But the biggest boost to come out of the Force triumph was the defensive resolve, and Wright says the Brumbies will need to back that effort up against a Queensland outfit "looking to throw the first punch".
"Conceding zero points makes for a very pleasant week and it shows what we're doing is working, showing teams pictures that are really hard to attack against," Wright said.
"The most pleasing part is probably holding a team to none. You saw that we started pretty fast at the start of the game there, in their last few games they've blown their opposition off the park early.
"That was something we focused on, throwing the first punch and beating them at their own game. We did that and laid a really good platform there, and got into a tussle after a little while which was good.
"Plenty to work on that we took out of last week and into this game which is pleasing, and obviously plenty to work on heading into next week against the Reds.
"It'll be a challenge for the Reds, no doubt, coming down to Canberra next week on the day trip. All the teams are doing it so I'm sure they'll be up for it. They'll be looking to throw the first punch."
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND FIVE
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.