The Super W semi-finals are already set in stone, but the ACT Brumbies are gunning for a historic victory to finish the regular season and prove themselves as genuine title contenders.
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The Brumbies will host Super W powerhouse Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium on Sunday, with the two sides also set to collide in the semi-finals regardless of the outcome.
Adam Butt's side are striving for their best regular season result, having finished fourth in 2018 and third last year.
A victory would see the third-placed Brumbies leapfrog Queensland to second, with only two points separating the clubs on the ladder.
Former Brumbies captain Shellie Milward has been working with the team and says a win over the robust Reds would boost their confidence heading into next week's semi-final.
"We will play them again, regardless of the outcome. It will be a really nice one to get over, just the psychology of the game going into the semi-final with one up on them," Milward said.
"If we can get our platform solid, play our game and really cement our forward pack and backs, heading into the semi-final we'll be much more confident. I think we do have the squad to take it out this year."
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The Brumbies and Reds have each lost one match this season, both to two-time reigning champions NSW Waratahs.
The undefeated Waratahs beat Queensland by just three points last week, while the Brumbies suffered a 41-8 thrashing in round three.
Milward has been forced to watch from the sides after a shoulder injured ruled her out of the season before a ball was kicked.
She's been impressed with the new breed of Brumbies coming through and has backed the young squad to come out firing from their bye-week against the Reds.
"It's been frustrating to watch but it's what happens with sport when you get injured," Milward said.
"The girls have been tracking really well, we had a hard game against the Waratahs two weekends ago. Everyone has gone home, done their homework and really picked apart their own game, as well as a team. I think we'll come out firing with the Reds.
"There has been some great new talent coming through. What I love about that is they don't hold back in games, they don't know anyone really who have come through.
"They're paving their own path. There's some girls out there who are just putting the older girls to shame, they're coming through and setting a new pace."
One of those young talents is 17-year-old Ella Ryan who has been sensational at flyhalf throughout the season.
The teenage playmaker is bracing for another tough test against dual-code star Zahara Tamara, who leads the competition in kicks from hand.
Ryan says the Brumbies are ready to bounce back after a disappointing loss to NSW, backing her side for a strong finish to the regular season.
"Coming off the Tahs and then into the bye week, we've had some extra fitness sessions and I'm sure we'll have another contact session," Ryan said.
"I think we're really improving as a team with every game. This weekend we're going to come out hard and set ourselves a platform going into the final series."
SUPER W ROUND 5: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, Sunday 1.15pm
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
