There is unlikely to be much subtlety when brothers Joe and Toby Brial catch up on the field for the first time on Saturday at the Santos Festival of Rugby in Roma.
Both play a bruising style of game so bet on a big tackle, a thumping collision or a cheeky headlock on the edge of a maul as the likely calling cards to be exchanged.
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Joe, 24, is entrenched in the Queensland Reds backrow while Toby 20, is a late inclusion in the NSW Waratahs squad at lock for the second round of Swyftx Super Rugby AUS.
"Competitively, yeah, I've played against Toby before...in the backyard," Brial grinned when recalling fondly some classic family footy.
"Everywhere we lived as kids there was a wrestle or friendly fight.
"It's been good to see Toby have a really good couple of years with Australia Under-18s and U20s. He's on a good trajectory."
The sons of former Wallaby Michael Brial have always been destined to meet on the field. When the Santos Festival of Rugby was held in Narrabri last year, Joe played in the Super Rugby AUS game while Toby played in the interstate U19s clash.
Proud dad Michael and plenty of the extended Brial clan made it back to his home town of Narrabri for that one. You sense two Brials will become three in Roma as well.
With the time he's spent in Narrabri, Joe has a strong sense of what it means to regional centres to host big events like the Festival of Rugby.
"It's really important for the regions and for us to come out here and play. It's been big for the community and Roma all week," Brial said.
"It's good for the boys to get a taste of out west as well.
"We have got our work cut out for us against the 'Tahs. It's always good to come up against the old foe...and my brother."
Brial is enjoying his first weeks with Vern Cotter as the new Reds Head Coach.
"He's very clear with what he wants from us as a team. It's good," Brial said.
The match will broadcast on Stan Sport and livestreamed free-to-air on rugby.com.au and YouTube
Saturday
9am: Gates Open
9:30am: Queensland vs. NSW (Women’s 7s) Game 1
10:00am: Queensland vs. NSW Under 19s
Noon: Queensland vs. NSW (Women’s 7s) Game 2
12:30pm: Classic Wallabies Coaching Clinic
1:30pm: Queensland vs. NSW (Women’s 7s) Game 3
2:00pm: Vintage Reds vs. Roma Echidnas
3:20pm: Queensland vs. NSW (Women)
5:45pm: Queensland vs. NSW (Super Rugby AUS)
Gates Close at 9pm
