The Brumbies are wary of an over-reliance on their set-piece as they prepare to face Super Rugby's most-potent attacking force the Hurricanes in a quarter-final showdown.
The defending champions set a new competition record this season, racking up 586 points in their 15 games at an average of almost 40 a match.
Conversely, the Brumbies' season tally of 315 puts them equal with the lowly Sunwolves at 21 points per match.
The picture in defence is brighter for the Brumbies, with their 279 points conceded the second least for the year, behind the Hurricanes' mark of 272.
Both teams picked up 10 bonus points - the Brumbies primarily for staying in matches and the Hurricanes for breaking them apart, running in a record 89 tries.
While defence remains critical, Brumbies flanker Chris Alcock says they won't go into their shell against the red-hot Hurricanes in Friday night's clash in Canberra.
"We've obviously got to play to what the weather gives us but, attacking-wise, we want to try things," Alcock said.
Historically, the Brumbies have hurt teams with their rolling maul, but they are guarding against a one-dimensional approach to breaching the Hurricanes' defence.
"We've always emphasised our set-piece. It's something we're very good at," Alcock said.
"It will be a focus of ours but we'll try a few different things as well."
When the two sides met earlier in the season in Hamilton, a yellow card to Brumbies five-eighth Wharenui Hawera preceded a second-half deluge of Hurricanes tries in a 56-21 drubbing.
A sin-binning to halfback Tomas Cubelli was also the catalyst for the Brumbies' last-round loss to the Chiefs.
"Playing with 14 men against a good Kiwi team really does handicap you a lot," Brumbies winger James Dargaville said.
"If we can keep 15 men on the field, win the set-piece battle and make the most of the opportunities that they give us, I think we can go a long way to winning this game.
"If we kick well, exit well and make our tackles, then it'll be a good contest."
Alcock has recovered from a gash to his thigh to take his place in the starting XV, while a season-ending injury to Aidan Toua has given Dargaville his chance on the wing.
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