So as for the prospect of going to Queensland and coming home with the trophy, that is one triumph the ACT Brumbies would enjoy more than last year's title, "without a doubt".

The Brumbies have booked their ticket to the Super Rugby AU grand final to set up a showdown with the Queensland Reds at Lang Park next week.

Dan McKellar's side kept their hopes of back-to-back titles alive with a 21-9 qualifying final win over the Western Force in front of 9017 at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

But the reigning champions will be sweating on an injury update for loosehead prop James Slipper [knee], No. 8 Pete Samu [knee] and hooker Folau Fainga'a.

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The mere mention of May 8 or the Reds was banned inside the Brumbies' four walls this past week. Yet there can be little doubt that date, and that opposition, were in the back of their minds.

Because for all the hype of Tah week and the club's rise to power over the NSW club once dubbed big brother, today's narrative revolves around the Reds.

Queensland have a chance to avenge last season's grand final loss when they host the decider for the first time in a decade. The Brumbies are looking for redemption after letting two games slip in heartbreaking fashion this year.

Now they will get another chance on Saturday as they walk past the John Eales statue and through the gates of Brisbane's Lang Park.

"It would be enormous. We'll enjoy this one more than last year, without a doubt, just because we've got a lot of respect for the opposition and we understand the challenge that is ahead of us," McKellar said.

"It would be incredibly rewarding to the group, players and staff. We focus on that now. We would have been incredibly disappointed not to have got that third opportunity [against Queensland this year].

"We led for 156 out of 160 minutes and there were just some critical moments there we lost and they were good enough to take. We'll see how they go next week when we apply a whole lot of pressure."

The Force were a worthy playoff contender, stunning Queensland in the final round to secure the club's first finals appearance in their 15-year history.

But they had perhaps played their big game a week early. Try as they might, the rush of three consecutive last-gasp wins, never by more than three points, would not be replicated in Canberra.

Not with man of the match Rob Valetini at his devastating best, or with backs like Irae Simone, Tom Banks, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright firing on all cylinders.

But the loss of Slipper in the first half and Samu in the second threatens to leave a sizeable hole in the Brumbies' pack.

"There's obviously a couple of concerns there, but if they're not right we'll just back whoever is next, ready to step up," McKellar said.

"Fingers crossed, but we won't dwell on it if they miss out. We'll be disappointed for the boys because they've all been good for us, but we'll wait and see what the medicos have to say."

The Force took 34 minutes to break the deadlock, with flyhalf Domingo Miotti slotting a penalty goal to put the rank outsiders in front.

Maybe a glance at the scoreboard while trailing is just what the Brumbies needed to be stung into action, because within 90 seconds the hosts had their first try through winger Wright.

A four-point deficit was by no means insurmountable for the Force, but they would have to overcome it without Toni Pulu after he was red carded on the stroke of half-time for a high shot on Simone.

Things only went from bad to worse as Banks scored off the ensuing penalty to give the favourites a nine-point lead at the break, putting them within reach of a shot at the Reds.

The visitors would not go away easily, cutting the margin to six before debutant Luke Reimer orchestrated a turnover with little more than eight minutes left. Ryan Lonergan nailed two penalties to increase the deficit to nine, and then 12.

The complexion of the game changed dramatically. The Force were now obliged to score a try, but ultimately failed to strike a blow. They now turn their attention to a Trans-Tasman quest.

"I think the disappointment will be there for a few days, no doubt," Force coach Tim Sampson said.

"When we get home it will probably hit, over the next couple of days. There's a competition starting soon after that so we're going to have to get back on the horse pretty quickly."

The Brumbies will open their Trans-Tasman season in Christchurch. But right now they are focused on bringing down a rival wearing a different shade of red.

AT A GLANCE

Super Rugby AU qualifying final: ACT BRUMBIES 21 (Tom Wright, Tom Banks tries; Noah Lolesio conversion; Ryan Lonergan 2, Lolesio penalties) bt WESTERN FORCE 9 (Domingo Miotti 3 penalties) at Canberra Stadium. Crowd: 9017.