Tom Cusack and the ACT Brumbies drawing a line in the sand in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman

Australian teams have now slumped to a combined 0-10 record against the five New Zealand clubs throughout the opening two rounds of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

An average losing margin of 20 points has exposed the gulf which remains between the two countries and could begin to break down the goodwill built during Australia's domestic competition.

But Brumbies coach Dan McKellar is adamant his side is not miles behind their Kiwi counterparts in the wake of a 21-point defeat to the Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton.

Now Cusack says they have a chance to prove it leading into a clash with the ladder-leading Auckland Blues at Eden Park on Saturday night.

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"It would be phenomenal. On a personal note, I have never played at Eden Park so it would be nice to play there and win," the Brumbies flanker and vice-captain said.

"We've played the two best teams in New Zealand at the moment and the Blues should be up there. It's not going to be run in there, throw the ball around and have good fun. We need to come away from this tour with a win.

"You want to give something for the crowds to come back [when we play in Canberra] and build a bit of excitement. A win is a non-negotiable here.

"We've got to go out there and be physical and show intent, and hopefully come away with a victory to then come home for two home games."

The understrength Brumbies' two-point loss in the season opener against the Canterbury Crusaders - which could have been a draw had Noah Lolesio's last-gasp conversion not faded - suggests they can match it with the Kiwis' best.

But a spirited defeat does little to change the perception of Australian teams' fortunes, and Cusack says the only way to turn things around is by physically dominating the Blues.

The 28-year-old made his long-awaited return in round two after niggling injuries derailed his Super Rugby AU campaign and kept him out of a second final in as many seasons.

"I think I've been waterboy in more games than I've played this year which is frustrating," Cusack said.

"The nice thing about that is you're around the squad, you're around the group, but you never want to miss games. You never want to be a bit of a burden by being a little bit injured.

"I just want to contribute where I can, and after being back for 35 minutes, I'll be a lot better for that in the long run. I blew out some cobwebs.

"We've harped on it this tour, physicality is the only way to beat the Kiwis. Against the Crusaders we were in a really good position and showed great intent and desire there.

"This week it was just missing, it was a little bit of a lapse. Next week has got to be a lot better and I think the boys will respond like we have to."

McKellar sees one way to turn things around at Eden Park.

"Physicality and intent. You've got to turn up with physicality and intent. That's the main thing," McKellar said.

"If you don't turn up with that at Eden Park, then it will be an offload-athon, and it won't be pretty. It's really simple, you've got to turn up with the intent to win the collision with the ball in hand or without it."

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN ROUND THREE

Saturday: Auckland Blues v ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, 5.15pm. Broadcast: Live on Stan Sport.