Brumbies head to Eden Park with belief

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Departing coach Dan McKellar told Foxsports.com.au the side knew from their regular-season game they had the measure of the Blues, and Saturday was a chance to create a legacy moment for the Brumbies.

"We've been there before, and we've consistently been one of the top teams for the last few terms.

"But, if we want to leave a lasting legacy and come back here, and in 10 years, or 20 years, and enjoy reunions, and have that bond and connection for life, then we've got to deliver, and we have a chance to do that over the next two weeks.

"We'll get over there on Wednesday and be good to go come Saturday."

McKellar said they knew how to beat the Blues. They showed that two weeks earlier, when Beauden Barrett landed a dropped goal under penalty advantage, in front of the posts, on full-time to secure a 21-19 win.

Focusing on the breakdown and attempting to shut down the time and space available for Barrett, they made life difficult for the Blues. 

McKellar said making the finals made the Brumbies happy, but that wasn't enough.

"We felt we should have beaten the Blues two weeks ago, and we're going over there to beat them. We're not going over thinking, 'this is lovely, we've made the semis.'

"It doesn't interest us to know we were the best-performing Australian team. We want to be the best team in the comp.

"We've got a chance to show that over the next fortnight," he said.

McKellar said they could play pragmatic football, as they did when beating the Hurricanes in rain and cold in Canberra on Saturday.

"You're not going out there and play a whole lot of razzle-dazzle. It's just not going to happen. The ball was like soap.

"But that didn't take away from the contest. I'm sure, to a neutral fan, they would have enjoyed that contest, and the resilience and the grit. It was a semifinal, or final, vibe," he said.

Pressure on defence and the set-piece, coupled with taking opportunities when at the right end of the field, was vital, and that was what the Brumbies achieved to secure their Eden Park appointment.

The Blues host the Brumbies at Eden Park in a knockout semifinal clash at 7.05pm Saturday 11 June.