The ACT Brumbies are looking to muster tries against the beleaguered NSW Waratahs, with each point adding to their quest for a top-two finish in the Super Rugby Pacific Championship.
The Brumbies face an uphill climb to overtake the second-placed Blues, who are six points ahead of them with four rounds of the regular season remaining.
But with the Blues playing the leaders Hurricanes on Saturday, Stephen Larkham's side will be keen to close the gap between top two and qualify for a home semi-final.
“We are fully aware that we need extra points to get to where we want to be at the end of the season,” the Brumbies coach told reporters on Thursday.
The second-from-bottom Waratahs will be determined to upset their local rivals, with a place in the finals still out of the question.
The Brumbies have revamped their lineup to face the Tahs, with Jack Debreczeni named in the No.10 shirt for the first time this year, but they stress they will not take their opponents lightly.
“We know how important this match is for both teams,” Larkham said.
“There are always a lot of emotions at the start of these games… and we are also aware of not burning a lot of energy during the week.
“They still have a lot of individuals who are very dangerous when they have the ball in their hands.
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“The situation they are in, in terms of where they are on the ladder and what these last four games mean for them, we just expect a lot of physicality.”
Prop James Slipper will start on the bench for the Brumbies after facing a niggling back problem against Fijian Drua last time out.
In another boost for Larkham, winger Ben O'Donnell has been named to the bench during his long-awaited return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
“It's been a long journey for Ben,” the coach said.
“His rugby IQ is fantastic, his skill set is versatile and we expect him to add a lot of confidence to the team and the players around him.”
