ACT Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has joined the push to more than double Canberra Stadium's crowd cap for the biggest Super Rugby clash played in the capital in 16 years.
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ACT chief health officer Kerryn Coleman holds the key to the Brumbies' hopes of an increased capacity for the Super Rugby AU decider at Canberra Stadium on September 19.
Crowds have just risen from 1500 to 3000 in Canberra, with ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr hoping the capacity can lift to 6500 when the Brumbies host the domestic grand final.
McKellar hopes the clash can be played in front of "at least" 6500 but officials face a balancing act as they take a cautious approach amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Club officials are working with government officials to put appropriate measures in place to welcome more fans while also looking to combat the spread of the virus.
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"It would be sad if we are in front of 1500 people or even 3000," McKellar said.
"The Brumbies are a big part of the Canberra and ACT community. It would be nice to allow our supporters and families, sponsors and key stakeholders to be there live and witness a grand final.
"They don't come around often, the last time we had one here was 2004. You can't take these opportunities and events for granted.
"Obviously we're in different times at the moment, but ideally we've got at least 6500 people there in a couple of weeks."
First for the Brumbies comes a round 10 top of the table clash with the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night in a potential grand final rehearsal.
McKellar's side travels to the sunshine state searching for their first victory in Brisbane since 2015 and they will have to overcome the hurdle of game day travel.
Biosecurity measures designed to combat the spread of COVID-19 mean the Brumbies face a 2418 kilometre match day round trip, but McKellar is confident his troops can handle the task having spent plenty of time on game day bus trips this season.
"We just want to keep building momentum. They're a good side, the Reds, and they've got threats across the park. We've got a whole lot of respect for them," McKellar said.
"The grand final is not this Saturday night, but what's important this Saturday night is the performance and that we continue to build momentum. That's what we're focusing on.
"We go to Brisbane determined to turn results around up there. We're not thinking about the grand final at all, we're thinking about going up to Brisbane and performing well. Over the past couple of trips, we haven't done that."
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND 10
Saturday: Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies in Brisbane, 7.20pm.
Brumbies squad: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Nic White, 10. Bayley Kuenzle, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. James Slipper, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Lachlan McCaffrey, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Len Ikitau, 23. Solomone Kata.
Reds squad: 1. Harry Hoopert, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Liam Wright (c), 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O'Connor, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 15. Jock Campbell. Replacements: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. JP Smith, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Bryce Hegarty, 23. Hunter Paisami.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
