Tom Wright was a fresh-faced 20-year-old the last time he came face to face with the Sharks. But you could forgive his rugby league-playing mates for their confusion this week.
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The former NRL prodigy will make another leap in his rugby union career when the ACT Brumbies host the Durban Sharks in a quarter-final on Saturday night.
He spent the start of the week explaining he was talking about the South African Sharks, not the Paul Gallen-led Cronulla Sharks.
But two years after he helped Manly beat the Sharks in an NRL under-20s semi-final, Wright says he's ready to take on the new challenge if he's called on this week.
"[My mates] do and don't know much about the teams abroad [in Super Rugby]. The Sharks and a few of the South African teams, they ask where are they from," Wright grinned.
"But it's good. They try to get around it as much as they can when the scheduling suits and we stay in pretty good contact. It's not something they're used to, but they're really good.
"[I got a taste of finals] in the under-20s when we played in a grand final, but nothing as serious as this. Being at home again is going to be really special."
BRUMBIES NEWS
The international nature of Super Rugby is what sets it apart from rugby league. But it's also one of the hardest selling points for fans given they rarely know much about the visiting team.
The Brumbies are hopeful there will be a groundswell of support for the finals return at Canberra Stadium, launching a two-for-one ticket deal until 12.30pm on Wednesday.
Brumbies officials asked Super Rugby for an afternoon kick-off to try to attract a massive crowd, but broadcast requirements pushed back the game until 8.05pm.
The Brumbies' home crowd grew by 3000 last week and Allan Alaalatoa wants more to jump on the bandwagon.
The Sharks are one of teams the Brumbies did not play during the regular season, but Alaalatoa and McCaffrey got up close with a leopard shark at the National Zoo and Aquarium on Tuesday to get in the right mood.
"To be able to run out and see the crowd ... we want to put on a performance that forces the crowd to come out and people are happy they came to watch," Alaalatoa said.
"Some people think I'm just saying that for the sake of it. But I really mean it. We've got a few boys leaving as well ... this could be their last home game. They want to soak it in."
Wright is facing stiff competition to keep his place on the wing despite scoring a try in the last-round win against the Queensland Reds last week.
Henry Speight is expected to be available for selection after overcoming a foot injury while Toni Pulu will also be picked after being rested last week.
Wright, a schoolboy rugby star, made the switch to rugby league to join Manly before moving to Canberra this year to reignite his rugby union passion.
"It's everything I thought it would be," Wright said. "Growing up I just wanted to play top-level footy. I was fortunate enough to play a few games of NRL and when the opportunity came up to come and play down here, it was too good to pass up."
SUPER RUGBY QUARTER FINAL
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Durban Sharks at Canberra Stadium, 8.05pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.