Wallabies will see Brumbies stars if they 'open their eyes': Joe Roff

The Brumbies will be aiming for a record seventh win in a row when they host the Durban Sharks in a Super Rugby quarter-final at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

They are the only Australian team in the play-offs after the NSW Waratahs, Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds ended the season in miserable form.

But the Brumbies have been shunned at times by Cheika, including the ACT's lowest Wallabies representation in 22 years for the series against Ireland 12 months ago.

Cheika used just three players - David Pocock, Joe Powell and Scott Sio - in the three Test series.

Roff, a Wallabies and Brumbies great, said ACT team form should pave the way for individual opportunities in the Rugby Championships and the World Cup.

The Brumbies won eight of their past nine matches to charge into the play-offs. In comparison over the same period, the Waratahs and Reds won three of nine and the Rebels won just two.

"It would be a travesty against the form and success of the Brumbies this year if the bulk of the Wallabies squad wasn't made up of Brumbies players," Roff said.

"Winning is a psychology and it has a momentum of its own. It's got to be a crucial factor in terms of selections and also combinations.

BRUMBIES NEWS

"It's a crucial year. You have to have eyes wide open [for selection] to see world-class talent who haven't had a chance, then have the courage to pick that. You'd have to think the Brumbies would be the foremost team being looked at for selections in key positions."

The Brumbies have pushed individual World Cup ambitions aside to focus on their bid to make the second week of the play-offs for the first time since 2015.

But the competition for World Cup selection adds an extra element of motivation given Cheika will be watching closely before settling on his team.

Roff backed Tom Banks to be the man to step into the fullback hole left by Israel Folau, describing the Brumbies No. 15 as the "complete package".

Banks scored six tries in the last six games of last season to earn his Wallabies debut. His try-scoring has been less prolific this year, but Roff said he had developed other areas of his game.

"You do balance form and big-game experience. Those three [fullback options] have specific skills," Roff said.

"I think Tom probably has the most rounded fullback game. From his running to strategic kicking, commitment in defence, his ability to spot opportunity. He's a complete package in that place and it's a key position. He could be one of those players who could step up and really make a mark on the world stage."

Christian Lealiifano, Joe Powell, Sam Carter, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight and James Slipper are all pushing for Wallabies recalls.

Lealiifano has played for the Wallabies since 2016, while Carter, Speight and Powell have been used sparingly since Cheika took the coaching reins. Kuridrani didn't play a Test last year while injury and controversy stalled Slipper's international career.

The Brumbies' front row of Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Faingaa and Scott Sio will almost certainly be included. But Rory Arnold, Pete Samu, Lachlan McCaffrey, Rob Valetini and Toni Pulu are trying to prove they deserve a shot as well.

"You've probably got to put that aside. [World Cup selection] is probably in a lot of people's minds at the moment, but the sole focus is the Brumbies," Banks said.

"If we can do well as a team and go deep into the finals, that will help our World Cup chances. That's how it should be."

The Brumbies will name their team on Thursday, with Henry Speight expected to be available for selection.

SUPER RUGBY QUARTER-FINAL

Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Durban Sharks at Canberra Stadium, 8.05pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.