The ACT Brumbies are bracing for a Friday night fight with the NSW Waratahs, with the latest instalment of a 30-year rivalry set to deliver a full-blooded contest in every sense.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fresh off a stirring and historic comeback victory over the Chiefs, the Brumbies\u00a0are set to once\u00a0again light up GIO stadium. But this week,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0more than competition points on the line,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0about pride,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0about power,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0about being the\u00a0bad-ass\u00a0Brumbies\u00a0who\u00a0don’t\u00a0take no\u00a0#$%!\u00a0off of\u00a0nobody!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Across the field, there will be no shortage of personal battles,\u00a0many of them carrying significance beyond the result, with Wallaby spots firmly in focus.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At\u00a0scrum-half, Brumbies\u00a0Captain Ryan Lonergan will go head-to-head with Waratahs number nine Jake Gordon in a contest between two of the country\u2019s leading halfbacks. Meanwhile, at the back of the scrum, Charlie Cale faces a compelling clash with former Brumbies teammate Pete Samu, now wearing Waratahs blue, in a\u00a0heavyweight\u00a0battle at number\u00a08\u00a0that\u00a0is sure to deliver.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Brumbies will also be boosted by the return of Ollie Sapsford, who has been cleared to play after overcoming a hamstring injury.\u00a0Lock Lachie Shaw also returns after missing last week due to illness,\u00a0and barnstorming centre David Feliuai returns after sitting out last week under HIA protocols.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Off the field, the Brumbies are hoping the energy from last week carries into another big Friday night crowd.\u00a0Head Coach Stephen Larkham urged the Canberra crowd to show up in numbers to show the travelling side what the Brumbies faithful are made of.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe crowd was outstanding for us last week, they were loud and created a great atmosphere,\u201d Larkham said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fans who have turned up this season have definitely got their money\u2019s worth, and we want to keep putting on performances that bring more people through the gates.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With form, pride and higher honours all on the line, Friday night shapes as a genuine heavyweight bout. Every collision, every contest and every moment will matter.\u00a0<\/p>\n