They'll enter Saturday as rivals but it was not that long ago that Tomas Cubelli was filling the void left by Nic White at the Brumbies.
Having spent his professional career with Pampas XV, an Argentinian-based side in the Currie Cup, Cubelli made the decision to leave home for the first time and head Down Under to the Brumbies in 2015.
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He came into a side in 2015 recently knocked out of the semi-finals, dealing with life without their number nine, with White opting to head to France to sign with Montpellier.
Whilst his stay at the Brumbies was brief ( 18 games between 2016-17), Cubelli believes that he left the place a better man.
“The Brumbies were very special for me to help develop as a person,” Cubelli said on Wednesday. “It was my first opportunity overseas and in Super Rugby so it was very special for me.
“Going back to 2016, we had a great season, personally I enjoyed it a lot, and a grew up as a player a lot.
“It’s a place that I’m very grateful to be able to be a part of at some stage. It’s definitely a place where I will always have some memories and good feelings to the team and club.
“I am grateful for the opportunity I had there, they helped me a lot. The memories come from that and the quality of the human beings I knew there, who I’m still in touch with.”
He wouldn't have to wait long to return to Canberra after signing with the Jaguares, picked a month later in Argentina's 45-20 loss to the Wallabies.
“It’s great to be back in Canberra, really enjoying spending the whole week here. It is a bit cold at the moment but I was missing this,” he reflected after arriving in Canberra for the Qualifying Final.
“When you live in nice experiences in particularly places, when you go back a lot of memories come back to your mind.
“I had the chance to come with Argentina (in 2017) and play the Wallabies which was a special feeling…. That’s one of the good things of Rugby and something to enjoy and be happy for.”
Whilst Cubelli was returning to his second home, White was off to his second overseas club, English club Exeter, which would help transform his game.
This would end up being the catalyst for his return to Australian Rugby and the Wallabies set-up, selected as the starting half for the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
Finishing his stint in Europe, White's four-year absence from the club ended with a bang in Round Eight against the Waratahs in 2020, immediately setting up a try to Tom Wright.
He would return to the starting line-up the following Round, eventually cementing his place in 2021, where his old replacement was waiting for him at the Force for Round One.
The ongoing COVID outbreak and the removal of Jaguares saw Cubelli, along with national team-mates Tomas Lezana, Santiago Medrano and Domingo Miotti, sign with the WA club.
On his return to GIO Stadium in Round Six, Cubelli's influence was evident to see at the grounds, with a photo of him playing for the Brumbies still hanging up.
As they get ready to face-off once again, both halves are well aware of the danger that awaited them over the other side of the ruck.
White was quick to recognise his capabilities and explosiveness around the breakdown.
“He’s a running threat around that breakdown, extremely strong and unpredictable,” White said on Cubelli.
“You’ve got to be on your toes there understanding he’s a huge threat and when they get quick ball, which is quite often, we can’t be forgetting about him and expect him to pass.
“Because these guys have been here, we understand the threat but understanding and dealing with them are two different things so we’re excited for the challenge this week.”
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Meanwhile, Cubelli praised the ongoing development and mental toughness of the 30-year-old.
“Always in his career, he’s been improving as a player. That’s the mental toughness that he has,” Cubelli said on White.
“He was always a great kicker and over time, he also started to be a good runner and leader in teams.
“I think he’s always been improving (as a player) so that speaks to his mental capabilities.
“I couldn’t show him anything since he left when I came.”
Regardless of what happens, it's clear to see that the Brumbies have left a major mark on both halfbacks.
It’s do or die for both the Brumbies and Western Force this Saturday night in Canberra. Catch all the finals action ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport as well as simulcast live on 9Gem, click here to purchase tickets.
