The Brumbies might have been stunned by the Hurricanes last week - but Stephen Larkham believes if there is one thing that can galvanise the side and kickstart their top two aspirations, it is playing the Waratahs at home.
The Brumbies have opted for a settled side, with Rory Scott and Lington Ieli the only two changes to the side that lost to the Wellington outfit last week, coming into the starting side and off the bench respectively.
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For 'Bernie', the match and challenge posed by the Tahs couldn't have come at a better time.
"[It's an] important game for us this weekend, no doubt about that," said Larkham to reporters.
"I think Hurricanes played exceptionally well, probably their best performance in terms of attack, some dangerous ball carriers across the park and we failed to contain them.
"The Hurricanes challenged us in the wider channel, so they were pretty good with their ball movements and long passes from nine to ten and then ten to their pods. We see that with the Waratahs as well."
The match looms as critical for both sides, with the Tahs falling outside finals following the Brumbies loss, while for the hosts, a second home loss on the bounce could stifle their hopes of a top two finish.
"I think what we got out of the last game is really good respect for the Waratahs, what they bring, big ball carriers," said Larkham.
"They're good around the field in terms of poaching at the breakdown, very well-connected defensive line, and then obviously really talented, dangerous outside backs.
"There's significant scrum battles every week, but we think there's going to be a significant one this weekend against the Waratahs.
"Lington (Ieli) coming into that spot as a genuine loose head prop will hopefully show up in scrum for us."
The decision to move Reimer to the bench is likely to regather his finishing form earlier in the season, with Larkham believing the Wallaby can effectively shut down the likes of Taniela Tupou, Miles Amatosero and Leafi Talataina.
"He wants to see himself as a starter, so there's a little bit of disappointment that he doesn't get a start here," the coach admitted.
"It gives him an opportunity now to work against an opposition that have a few changes, an opposition that might be a little bit more fatigued, and then find a really good connection."
The Brumbies will have their work cut out against the Tahs on multiple fronts - not only because the monkey is off the back of the Sydney side, but also because of the effective weapon the side has started to more effectively utilise in Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii.
"They're certainly using that as a tactic, coming back and putting a high ball up for Joseph to chase and get into that contest. So that'll be a challenge for us," Larkham notes.
"We've certainly enjoyed the rivalry. We've spoken about this week being one of our biggest in the season, and coming off the game that we had against them up in Sydney, there is disappointment from that game with our players from a number of different aspects.
"Where both teams sit on the ladder, this is a very important game for both teams at this stage, and you're going to get this every game from now on."
With Joe Schmidt also confirmed to stay until July 2026 yesterday, Bernie threw his support behind the decision, believing the success the Australian sides are seeing will also continue to grow with him as national coach.
"I think it's a good appointment," said the former Wallabies assistant.
"Joe's been fantastic for rugby in Australia. I think it's transferred to the Super Rugby teams, the technical coaching that he's put in at the top level.
"The players have brought that back into the franchises. Joe's been very open with his program, allowing all the coaches to be a part of the program, to come in as many times as possible, to really understand what he's trying to achieve.
"I think for the next 12 months it's a great appointment."
