Saturday's Waratahs-Brumbies derby shapes as a pivotal one for the fate of both sides but it will also be a chance to see some established Test stars battle their head-to-head competition.
The Waratahs boast plenty of incumbent Wallabies and through the Brumbies pack especially is not short of Test stars, there are a host of challengers who will have a chance to make a statement against their interstate rivals at Bankwest.
Saturday night's clash could shape up as a battle for some key Wallabies spots, with Christian Lealiifano and Bernard Foley going head to head in the key playmaking spots and Kurtley Beale and Tom Banks facing off at fullback.
Foley stepped up against Quade Cooper in last weekend's win over the Rebels while Lealiifano has been among the most consistent 10s in the competition this season.
Lealiifano has been one of the most positive stories of the year, recalled to Wallabies camp for the first time in three years when the group gathered last month.
Brumbies hooker Connal McInerney said Lealiifano's call-up was a moment the whole side was eagerly anticipating.
"We were all waiting for it, him to get called up to that camp so very special for him," he said.
"I'm sure he's just focused on doing his job for the Brumbies and whatever comes from that, we'll all be very happy for him," he said.
While it could be a good chance for Lealiifano to get an edge on Foley, McInerney said his skipper's focus would be on the team first.
"I don't think he'll be thinking about Foley," he said.
"I think he'll just want to lead the boys around the park well and get the job done and whatever comes from that, if he gets one up on him, so be it ,that'll be good."
McInerney also had plenty of praise for Banks, who has been one of the Super Rugby standouts this season.
"I think Kurtley knows that Banksy's hot down his neck so that'll be exciting to see, very exciting to watch," he said.
The Brumbies took the honours in the side's round five clash in Canberra and they've proven themselves more multi-dimensional as the season has gone on.
Their run of form mirrors that of 2018, when they narrowly missed the finals, and McInerney said they were determined to ensure that didn't happen again this year.
A win on Saturday would all but ensure the Brumbies a home quarter-final berth as Australian conference leaders.
"We were all very disappointed (with missing finals), especially with that form at the end of last year, so I think we've carried that form through to this year and that's certainly what we're aiming for - the finals berth," he said.
The Brumbies take on the Waratahs at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday June 8, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
