Pete Samu says ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby AU tilt built on defence

The competition's best defensive side sit on the cusp of securing a home final leading into a clash with a Western Force side anchored to the bottom of the ladder at Canberra Stadium on Friday.

What stands in front of the nomads from the west is a blue, white and gold wall - one they failed to crack in their last meeting a month ago.

The Brumbies have conceded 107 points in six games - the next best is Melbourne with 110 - while the Force have scored 71 and conceded 188.

Samu says one passage of play in their last-start thrashing of NSW, in which the Waratahs hammered the line deep in the second half but failed to find a way through, shows how much pride the Brumbies take in their defence.

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"It's that next man in focus. We trust everyone in the squad, and we trust they will do their job, whether it's their first year or their ninth year at this club," Samu said.

"The boys that came in this week did the job and we got the result. Defence was a big focus, our defence plan is to try to stop them scoring, whether that's 40 out or five out. The boys showed how much they care about this team.

"It's massive. [The Force] have got nothing to lose, we've got to show them the respect they deserve and go out there, stick to our plans and do what we do best."

Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White says underestimating the Force would be a crucial mistake as the hosts sit on the verge of a shot at the first all-Australian Super Rugby crown.

"They could be a bogey team for sure, and that's why we need to respect them," White said.

"They're a good enough side to be able to bounce back from that. You can change a lot in seven days so we need to expect that.

"They've had a couple of tough games, but in the first halves they've been right in it. What's to say a few things go differently, and they're right in it."

SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND NINE

Friday: ACT Brumbies v Western Force at Canberra Stadium, 7.05pm.