Brumbies flanker George Smith says tomorrow night's Super 12 semifinal against the Blues will be a do-or-die affair.
He was reacting to some Australian critics who said the form of the other teams in the play-offs meant the Brumbies were "just making up the numbers".
The Brumbies qualified fourth, and are
the only Australian side to reach the semifinals.
They face the top-of-the-table Blues, who have lost only one game this season and who have been showing the strength of the Blues sides that dominated the competition in its first three years from 1996.
"It's a semifinal," Smith said.
"It's do or die. Anybody in the top four can make the final."
Smith has played in three finals.
He has been a key member of the Brumbies and Wallabies since 2000.
"The Crusaders-Hurricanes [the other semifinal] game will be tough," he said.
"The Crusaders are a great defensive side and the Hurricanes have exciting backs. But to me it doesn't matter what happens on Friday. It's all about Saturday for us.
"The Blues are the form side."
With shoulder injuries keeping out Owen Finegan and Stirling Mortlock, the Brumbies did not look like a playoff team early in the season.
Enter the young guns: former Australian Under-21 players Tamaiti Horua and Matt Giteau.
Horua slotted in well at blindside flanker, tackling strongly and carrying the ball well.
Giteau - who was yesterday ruled out of tomorrow night's game by a fractured bone in a leg - has kept opposition defences on their toes with his nippy darts and fine distribution.
"We've got great depth," Smith said. "It's a credit to the ACT's development programme."
- NZPA
* Visit nzherald.co.nz throughout the weekend for Super 12 updates.
Super 12 schedule/scoreboard
