Newly resigned hooker Liam Bowron says the ACT Brumbies' bye couldn't have come at a better time as they gear up for a tense race to the Super Rugby Pacific finals.
The Brumbies earned their week off after claiming a 32-15 victory against the Western Force last Saturday, ending a three-game losing streak and inching them closer to the post-season.
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With just two rounds remaining after the bye, including a crunch derby against their bitter rivals in Sydney next Friday, this week off is poised as the calm before the storm.
"To get a bye leading into finals and then have two games roll into our final series, it has come at a really good time off the back of a win as well," the hooker told reporters on Thursday.
"The boys are ready for it. We've had a bit of a rest, and we're back in today. Then we'll come back on Sunday and see what happens on Friday."
"If we show up and deliver at the right times. We can go the whole way."
Regardless of this season's fortunes, Bowron's future beyond this year has been decided after he re-signed until the end of the 2028 campaign.
Bowron has spent all of this season coming off the bench, with coach Stephen Larkham opting to go with Billy Pollard and Lachlan Lonergan in the front row instead.
The Canberra local did weigh up the possibility of moving clubs to secure more game time, but ultimately was happy to stay in his hometown after progressing through the Brumbies' pathway system.
"When you come up through Canberra, and you've come through all the academies, it's the only footy you've really played and supported your whole life," Bowron said.
"There's not too much of a decision when it comes to staying where you grew up and the team you supported growing up your whole life and then living out your childhood dream."
