The ACT Brumbies will not be dishing the Dunedin Highlanders any favours at Canberra Stadium, says head coach Dan McKellar ahead of Friday's match, as they look for a win to farewell some of their squad.
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The Highlanders sit undefeated and second on the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman ladder, with the Christchurch Crusaders on equal points in third, nipping at their kilts.
In order to reach the series final, the visitors will require a win against the Brumbies, and possibly a large win to receive an extra point, to secure themselves a spot in the final.
McKellar said he was not worried about where the Brumbies' opposition sat on the ladder ahead of the clash.
"We're not too worried about ... what the impact of the result is. We just want to finish our season on a positive note back at home," he said.
"We don't like losing and we certainly don't like losing at home."
The 44-year-old said in order to get the win against the Highlanders, the same rules applied as they did with any New Zealand side.
"They'll hurt you off turnover attack, you have got to defend well and you have got to turn up with a genuine physical presence," McKellar said.
"I thought what we did well on Saturday night was ensure that their best players probably didn't have their best games and we have got to make sure that's the same on Friday."
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Friday night will mark the final time a number of Brumbies are spotted in the blue and gold - including Mack Hansen, who is off to Ireland's Connacht next season and likely Issak Fines, Reesjan Pasitoa and Bayley Kuenzle who Fox Sports has linked to the Western Force.
Following the group's final group training session together, McKellar remained tight lipped on any possible newcomers for next season.
However, he said it was always an emotional week for the squad with departures.
"It's always a bit sad when you know, it was our last team session for this particular group and no group is ever the same, so it's important that we represent the jersey and the entire group really proudly," he said.
Senior player Scott Sio, who has been with the club since 2012, said the final week of the season was a sad one every year with players leaving.
"It's always obviously a pretty sad time of the year," he said.
"It's the nature of the game, guys take up opportunities elsewhere and, you know, that's just how it is, but the best thing we can do for those guys is get a win on Friday night and finish the season on a high."
The prop said it would be a tough challenge against the Highlanders as they were playing consistent rugby at the moment.
"We know we've got our work cut out for us this weekend. We've got to be pretty consistent across the board there on both sides of the ball, but it makes for a great challenge and it makes for some good rugby."
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
