The Brumbies have defied Wallabies coach Michael Cheika by naming three of their stars at the centre of a tug-of-war between club and country to play this weekend.
David Pocock, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa are in the starting XV for Sunday's Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves at GIO Stadium.
The ACT team has been firm about having their best available for the clash since the request came through from Cheika via email a day before they played the Bulls in South Africa last week.
It's a different approach to Melbourne's with Rebels coach Dave Wessels admitting Will Genia could have returned from injury against the Blues on Saturday but he wanted to help the Wallabies out.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said the saga had been a distraction for the club and the players but believed it was important to take a stand for rugby in Canberra.
"Once I returned to Australia (from South Africa), I got in contact with Michael and we had a discussion," McKellar said.
"We both understand each other's positions and in this instance we can't come to an agreement.
"It's about winning a football game but also making sure our members, supporters and stakeholders get to see the best version of the Brumbies every week."
An email was sent to Brumbies members last week, warning the club "may no longer exist" if attendances don't pick up.
The club has promised to donate $5000 each to three Canberra charities if they reach their targeted crowd of 15,000.
But Cheika has insisted the national team needs to be put first, saying he had made a "common-sense" request, and the Brumbies will draw a big crowd no matter what.
The first Test against Ireland is six days after the Brumbies take to the field and Cheika believes the short turnaround will affect preparations to play the second ranked team in the world.
Tom Banks, Joe Powell and Tevita Kuridrani were all named in the 33-man Test squad but Brumbies coach Dan McKellar wasn't asked to pull them from the team.
Lock Rory Arnold and promising young hooker Folau Fainga'a are missing the game through suspension but were still picked in the Australian squad.
BRUMBIES: Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Andrew Muirhead, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Powell, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Lachlan McCaffrey, Sam Carter, Blake Enever, Allan Alaalatoa, Connal McInerney, Scott Sio.
Res: Nic Mayhew, Ben Alexander, Richie Arnold, Tom Cusack, Matt Lucas, Wharenui Hawera, Andrew Smith.
