Brumbies captain Sam Carter admits complacency led to Melbourne's upset victory over them earlier in the year - but says his Super Rugby side won't make the same mistake twice.
The ACT-based franchise could end the round as Australian conference winners, provided they win Saturday night's clash at GIO Stadium and other results go their way.
While the Rebels are the only side mathematically out of the hunt, the three sides clinging to the remote chance of trumping the Brumbies all face the seemingly impossible task of beating New Zealand opposition.
It's been almost seven weeks since the Rebels' sole win this season to bring the Brumbies crashing back to earth after thrashing Queensland 43-10 in their previous match.
And Carter pulls no punches about what had caused the round-eight upset.
"I think we took it for granted," Carter said on Friday.
"We came off a really good win against the Reds and I think we fell in love with ourselves a little bit and then underestimated the Rebels in Melbourne.
"They were really up for it that night and we got rolled. We're definitely not doing that again."
Carter said the team addressed the potential of another love affair with themselves after last week's 39-15 triumph over the Jaguares in Argentina.
It capped a dream tour which kicked off with a victory over the Kings in Port Elizabeth.
Aside from their gruelling travel schedule, Carter was among eight players to be included on Wednesday night in the Wallabies' June Test squad in an eventful week for the club.
Prop Ben Alexander injured his knee in training, denying him the chance to become the most-capped Brumby by surpassing George Smith's club record of 142 games.
And the players were told on Thursday that forwards coach Dan McKellar would take over from Stephen Larkham next year in the head role.
"We had a big focus this week on putting out all of the distractions and making sure we put our best performance out Saturday night," Carter said.
Nic Mayhew will replace Alexander in the front row in the only change to the starting XV who won in Buenos Aires.
While Wallabies lock Lopeti Timani returns for the Rebels, Test flanker Sean McMahon's dislocated wrist means Hugh Sinclair is one of five inclusions to the starting side.
THE RUN HOME IN THE AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE:
* BRUMBIES: (28, +26) - Rebels (home), Reds (away), Chiefs (a)
* WARATAHS: (19, -69) - Chiefs (a), Jaguares (h), Force (a)
* FORCE: (17, -107) - Hurricanes (h), Rebels (h), Waratahs (h)
REDS: (16, -131) - Blues (a), Brumbies (h), Highlanders (a)
REBELS: (8, -292) - Brumbies (a), Force (a), Jaguares (h)
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