The NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies' rivalry doesn't need much fuel but the opportunity to potentially end each other's season is enough to fan the flames.
The teams go into this Friday's match at Allianz Stadium in the midst of a mid-table logjam with two rounds remaining in the regular season.
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Victory can leap the seventh-placed Waratahs ahead of the fifth-placed Brumbies, should they deny them a losing bonus point.
However, the Brumbies can all but end the Waratahs if they win, the perfect revenge after their loss to their arch rivals earlier in the year.
“It’s do or die for both teams this weekend," coach Stephen Larkham said.
“We come into it having lost the last game at GIO Stadium against them and we’ve identified a few things out of that game that really weren’t up to scratch. We feel that we’ve improved our game since then.
“There was a fair bit of fatigue in that game but it was a bit of a wake up for us and we’ve spent a fair bit of time improving certain areas of that game to make sure we’re ready for this one.
"...It’s all part of it. They came down here and I wouldn't say it was an upset win, but they played exceptionally well and taught us a lesson in terms of energy and accuracy on the field.
“It's been a long process to get back to this point to be able to play them again and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Charlie Cale is another Wallaby, still a few weeks away, with Larkham optimistic about his return in 2026.
“Tracking well, so he'll be training with us today. A little bit modified out there, but at least he's back on the park with the main squad," Larkham said.
"I don't know what that means yet in terms of whether he's available for next week, we'll have to wait and see but he’s tracking quite well so there’s hope he’ll play for us this year."
For the Waratahs, they'll have to defy history as they look for back-to-back wins over the Brumbies for the first time in over a decade.
"I don't really need to talk about it. I think it's something that Matty Phillip and I have spoken about as coach and captain, and everyone in the building knows that this is a big game and an important week," Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said.
"We've spoken in the past about some games are just different. Brumbies v the Waratahs is one of those weeks on any given week but certainly when we're both chasing the same prize, it adds to that."
The Waratahs are still without Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (hamstring tightness) and Jake Gordon (illness), with the short turnaround from the travel taking its toll.
The hosts finish the season against the red-hot Western Force, with the Brumbies facing a dangerous clash against a Moana Pasifika side that could be playing its last game ever.
