Tight-knit ACT Brumbies front-row looks to set the tone in search of Super Rugby AU glory

But "if you're talking hierarchy, I think I sit at the top," the ACT Brumbies hooker laughed.

Fainga'a is the youngest of four Wallabies gracing the club's front-row stocks and so often the one to cut the tension amid the heightened pressure of grand final week.

But when the time comes to flick the switch, the jokes are over. Instead he joins Allan Alaalatoa, Scott Sio and James Slipper in a bid to lead from the front.

Now the Brumbies' all-star front-row is determined to set the tone in a Super Rugby AU grand final showdown with the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium.

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"It's pretty good. We are a tight-knit unit in the front-row. We've got a mixed relationship, I think that's what keeps us tight as a group here," Fainga'a said.

"We like to pick on Nossy [Lachlan Lonergan] and Billy [Pollard] a bit because they're a bit younger than us. Then you've got Scotty and Slips, the big dogs, the older heads. They like to pick on us because they're a bit older than us.

"Then you've got Al, the skipper, who I like being a smartarse to but he is also a year older than me. It keeps that bond between us, and when it's time to flick the switch, then it's time to flick the switch.

"We do respect our elders and that goes a long way, especially for us young guys coming through.

"It keep us on our toes, they're always pushing us to be our best and we're always pushing to be our best for the younger players and to be good role models.

"For us, it's important to pass on that knowledge and do what we can to help the Brumbies be successful in years to come."

Rest assured the Brumbies' elite forward leaders will be here to ignite that new era with all four on long-term deals to stay at the club's Canberra base.

Voices like Sio's are crucial in the biggest week of the season. He is one of three Brumbies still standing from the squad that suffered grand final heartbreak across the ditch in 2013.

He is also the loosehead prop whose battle with Reds powerhouse Taniela Tupou ignited frustrations about scrum penalties in the final round of the regular season.

Alaalatoa said the Brumbies were "harshly done by", that "it's hard for Scotty to keep a scrum up when the tighthead is on the ground".

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said "we're wanting looseheads to get their elbow up, but it's hard to get their elbow up when the bind is changed onto the elbow".

National director of rugby Scott Johnson had reportedly organised for Tupou to be scrutinised at the scrum base due to accusations of "angling in" instead of packing in straight.

Now the hulking frame of "Tongan Thor" is one the Brumbies have to shut down if they are to secure a Super Rugby title, with forwards coach Laurie Fisher calling on his front-row to rise to the challenge.

"They've got a lot of experience. We need them to be at their set piece best and their physical best. I guess we'll see on Saturday night and play off the back of them," Fisher said.

"A few of these boys have played in a World Cup final, you look at Alaalatoa, Sio, Slipper, plenty of guys have played Test matches. A grand final is obviously a different game but we've got plenty of experience amongst the group.

"Traditionally we're a good set piece side, so we've got to make sure we're a good set piece side on Saturday night.

"Again, I think grand finals are about doing the basics right, make our tackles, good catch pass skill, good breakdown work. If we get all of our basics right, we'll be in a position to capitalise on opportunities as they present."

If the front-row can send their Reds counterparts backwards, they may soon become champions again.

SUPER RUGBY AU GRAND FINAL

Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.