World class fullback Tom Banks is poised to return to the fray for a near full-strength ACT Brumbies outfit as they set their sights on a "Tah week" mission.
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Banks' inclusion is set to be a major boost for the Brumbies as they prepare to hit the road to face the NSW Waratahs at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday night.
A foot injury kept the 26-year-old out of the Brumbies' Super Rugby AU opener with young gun Mack Hansen filling the void.
Now the Australian international is determined to pick up where he left off following a scintillating start to the year when the Brumbies meet their cross-border rivals in a grudge match.
Winger Solomone Kata and lock Nick Frost are also back in the frame to give Brumbies coach Dan McKellar a selection headache for the rivalry clash.
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"[Banks] has certainly stepped up with his leadership, he is a much stronger, more dominant voice around the group now," McKellar said.
"In the past he has probably had thoughts and ideas, and not necessarily had the confidence to voice them. Now he is putting those ideas forward.
"Obviously he is a threat in attack for any defence. His line kicking, for me, is the best in the country and one of the best in the world in terms of putting the ball in the corner. That's a whole undervalued skill he has got as well.
"He's in the frame. There are a number of guys that are going to be back and available, it's going to make decisions tough for myself. Frost is likely to be available, Kata is likely to be available.
"The 23 who played against the Rebels will be available as well, and with [scrumhalf Ryan] Lonergan, we will see how his ankle responds to treatment.
"It's good to have all of the boys fit and healthy, and in a position where they can play rugby. It's difficult around selection, it always is."
McKellar says discipline will be crucial for the Brumbies as they prepare to face a Waratahs side fresh off a gritty win over the Western Force this past weekend.
NSW piled on 23 unanswered points to secure their first win of the rebooted season in a timely boost for a side that has stumbled through 2020.
The Waratahs boast a youthful side and they face their toughest test of the Australian competition when they meet the Brumbies in Homebush this week.
McKellar is confident his side will rise to the challenge in a bid to make a statement to their interstate rivals having already started the season with a bonus point win.
"They ground out a good result, the Force off the back of a whole lot of emotion played really well in the first 40 minutes," McKellar said.
"Discipline let them down in the second half which allowed the Tahs to get momentum and field position. That has been a fairly consistent theme this year, here and in New Zealand.
"With ill-discipline you're going to lose momentum, and put yourself in a position where you're defending for long periods of time.
"They're a good group of young footballers there, and we understand they'll be up for the Brumbies game. It's a big challenge for us and one we're really excited for."
The second-placed Brumbies have a chance to leapfrog the Queensland Reds to sit atop the standings with both sides enjoying an unbeaten start to the season. NSW sit level with the Brumbies on five points.
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND THREE
Saturday: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Sydney Olympic Park, 7.15pm.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
