Ryan Lonergan takes goalkicking duties for ACT Brumbies against Melbourne Rebels

So the ACT Brumbies sharpshooter will have one thought running through his mind when he takes the kicking duties against the Melbourne Rebels in a Super Rugby AU clash on Sunday.

It will be that match-winner from long range against the Rebels last month. He may yet have to replicate it against a side desperately chasing a finals berth.

Lonergan will start at scrumhalf and relieve playmaker Noah Lolesio of the kicking pressure, with Bayley Kuenzle and Nic White also options with the tee.

"I've been looking forward to it for quite a while now," Lonergan said.

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"I've been getting some good minutes off the bench and now I get my opportunity to start. I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully we can put a good performance out there.

"The first 20 is going to be very physical like it always is against the Rebels. They've got nothing to lose and we're aware of that.

"This week we've been focused on ourselves, there's a lot to improve on. We're looking to just go and put out a solid 80-minute performance."

Sunday marks the Brumbies' final hit-out before they host a qualifying final against the third-ranked team at Canberra Stadium on May 1, with the Queensland Reds hosting the decider a week later.

So the title contenders will use a looming bye week to send the Brumbies to the bush with players and staff to visit eight regional rugby clubs to run junior and senior training sessions on Tuesday night.

The Brumbies will work with the Yass Rams, Cooma Red Devils, Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn, Crookwell Pups, Braidwood Redbacks, Broulee Dolphins and Batemans Bay Boars.

"Connecting with our community is a key part of the Brumbies organisation and the whole team are really excited to get out and about next week," Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.

"Everyone involved with our side and professional rugby as a whole has come through the community level and we love getting back to that environment, especially in the country areas where they're always so hospitable.

"We know we have a lot of support in our region and this is about giving back a little to those who give us so much."

SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND NINE

Sunday: Melbourne Rebels v ACT Brumbies at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, 2pm. Broadcast: Live on Stan Sport.

ACT Brumbies team: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. James Tucker, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Bayley Kuenzle, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. James Slipper, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Will Miller, 21. Nic White, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Mack Hansen.

Melbourne Rebels team: 1. Matt Gibbon, 2. James Hanson, 3. Pone Fa'amausili, 4. Robert Leota, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Joshua Kemeny, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Michael Wells, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Matt To'omua (c), 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Campbell Magnay, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Frank Lomani, 15. Tom Pincus. Replacements: 16. Jordan Uelese, 17. Cabous Eloff, 18. Cameron Orr, 19. Lucio Sordoni, 20. Ross Haylett-Petty, 21. Isi Naisarani, 22. Brad Wilkin, 23. James Tuttle, 24. Lewis Holland, 25. Glen Vaihu.