The Brumbies say confidence will trump desperation when they face the Waratahs in an Australian Super Rugby derby on Saturday.
The Brumbies are leading the Australian conference after winning six of their past seven games and can all but secure a home quarter-final by ending NSW's season at Bankwest Stadium.
It would mark the first time the Brumbies have done the double against their arch-rivals since 2016, after winning the first clash in Canberra in round five.
But Brumbies super-sub hooker Connal McInerney, who scored a hat-trick off the bench against the Sunwolves last week, admitted they were the side struggling when the teams met earlier this season.
"Back in round five we were desperate. We weren't in great form and the boys were just desperate and wanted to do it for each other. But now I feel like we've got a lot more variety in our game," McInerney said.
"We're scoring a lot of tries out wide and in tight. They've got a lot to target - the variety and balance in our game.
"We're certainly heading that way (to becoming one of the best teams in the competition). We're constantly testing ourselves to be better and I think that's the difference.
"It's a crucial game for them and us ... but I think a confident team (will win) because when you're desperate not everything goes your way and we can use that as a massive weapon."
Brumbies halfback Joe Powell believes the turning point in their season came a week after beating the Waratahs, when they were upset by Queensland.
"After we lost to the Reds we went back and looked at our preparation and really tried to nail that. We probably got a bit slack in that area and it's been a big thing that's changed," he said.
"I'm definitely confident we can continue our form this week. Our forwards have been going well all season and our backs are really clicking so it's good we've got two points of attack now."
