Tom Banks has the perfect opportunity to repay the leap of faith he says the Brumbies took by signing him from Queensland four years ago, when he goes head-to-head with Wallabies incumbent Kurtley Beale in his 50th game for the club.
The Brumbies are out to cement their place at the top of the Australian conference by extending their reign over the Waratahs and while Banks is unlikely to clash directly with his opposite number, the rising star can underline the case for generational change with a strong showing in Canberra.
Banks was considered extremely unlucky to miss the World Cup squad last year and has done little to change that opinion this season, starring for the Brumbies in their opening five games.
After talk earlier in the season that he could start at flyhalf for the Tahs following the loss of Bernard Foley following the World Cup, Beale has worn the no.15 jersey and took much of the attacking responsibility early in the season with young flyhalf Will Harrison finding his feet.
Harrison has started to find his feet in recent weeks, showing why he is so highly regarded but Banks said Beale remained an integral part of the Waratahs team.
"Obviously KB (Beale) has been instrumental to their team, I think he takes a lot of ownership in attack and we're going to have to look to nullify him and then put a lot of pressure on their backline as well," Banks said of the Brumbies' earning the win.
"It's going to be an interesting battle but I think we're going to have to take it to them early and up front."
Banks is likely to be competing for the same position as Beale in a gold jersey but he was not about to talk his rival down.
"I guess you could say that, we're attacking-minded players but Kurtley's been doing it for longer than I have and we've really got to shut him down to look to assert our authority," he said.
Queensland product Banks earnt his Super Rugby start with the Reds but only played two games over two seasons before being given a start by the Brumbies in 2017.
"To be honest, it's come around quite quickly," Banks said of his 50th cap.
"I'm extremely grateful to the Brumbies for taking a chance on me and allowing me to come down here and extend my footy career.
"I've got nothing but respect for the organisation and I'm happy to get to 50 games."
A former student at Brisbane Boys College - the school that produced Wallabies Will Genia and James Horwill - Banks admitted the Brumbies took a leap of faith in signing him and he was keen to repay the club.
"I probably wasn't getting too much of a look-in at the Reds and things weren't happening in Queensland, so to show faith in me the way they did and offer me a deal is probably something I'll probably never be able to repay," he said.
"But I'll continue doing my best for the club."
The Brumbies take on the Waratahs at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Sunday, March 15, kicking off at 4:05pm AEDT, with the match broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
