The Brumbies need to stamp their authority on a niggly Waratahs backrow in Sydney on Saturday night.
That's the view of backrower Rob Valetini, who says the team is prepared for a bruising backrow battle.
Valetini, Tom Cusack and Pete Samu will go up against Lachie Swinton, Michael Hooper and Jack Dempsey in what looms as a pivotal loose forward match up.
While the Brumbies thumped the Waratahs 47-17 in their last outing, Valetini said they felt NSW got the jump on them physically.
"I think we'll just have to front up against the big boys like that and just have to be physical with them," he said.
"Last time we weren't as physical and they got us in the first half so we have to be real physical against Swinton and Hooper, try to stop them early."
Valetini said they were conscious of not being drawn into any scraps in what shapes as a fiery battle between two of Super Rugby's traditional Aussie rivals.
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"I'd say that's the whole pack, always trying to start a fight or something, a few niggles, but come Saturday we won't be getting into that, we'll just go out there do our job and play rugby," he said.
The Brumbies are itching to get back on the park after a "boring" round two bye week.
"Definitely. i think I'm really keen to get out there again," Valetini said.
"t was a bit boring in the bye week, having to watch everyone else play and us just chilling out.
"I'm definitely keen to get out there tomorrow and run around."
The Brumbies currently sit second on the Super Rugby AU ladder with a game in hand and are staring down the barrel of a four-game block that could make or break their season.
Captain Allan Alaalatoa said they were looking at the run of matches as a block that could set them up for a finals appearance.
"If we're looking from the outside it is going to set up the rest of the season, that's the reality," he said.
"We're just worrying about every day's preparation.
"You can't look too far ahead, we've got the Waratahs tomorrow and that's a huge game for us.
"Every game's like a final and that's the way we're going to prepare."
>After being bested by the Rebels at scrum time in round one, Alaalatoa said honing their set piece strength had been a major focus heading into the Waratahs game.
"We had a big focus around our set piece, obviously wasn't up to scratch round one and we got tested really well by the Rebels," he said.
"We definitely know that our set piece is going to be tested again tomorrow.
"They've got a quality front row, both Wallaby props and the front row that normally starts or them are coming of the bench so I think for the full 80 tomorrow it's going to be a great contest up front, definitely something we've spoken about in the forwards."
The Brumbies have won their past four encounters against the Waratahs, dating back to 2018.
The Waratahs will play the Brumbies at ANZ Stadium on Saturday July 18, kicking off at 7:15pm AEST, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports. Buy a Kayo subscription here. Buy tickets here.
