'They need a win and we also need a win': Brumbies looking to bounce back from loss ahead of finals

Ahead of Sunday’s Super Rugby AU clash with Melbourne the Brumbies are trying to take the positives out of their tight loss to Queensland which cost them a home grand final.

The Brumbies will look to bounce back from the 24-22 defeat by the Reds – their second two-point loss of the season – when they travel to AAMI Park.

The Rebels themselves suffered heartbreak when the Western Force scored a late try to steal the win and remain in the fight for the third finals berth, with the Reds and Brumbies locked in.

Brumbies assistant coach Rod Seib and hooker Lachlan Lonergan

Brumbies assistant coach Rod Seib and hooker Lachlan Lonergan

The ladder leaders move straight through to the grand final while second and third square off in a semi-final.

The Brumbies have the bye in the last round, and if they had hosted the final in Canberra, wouldn’t have played for three weeks.

A former Sunwolves star has signed a two-year deal with the Waratahs as he aims to stake a claim in Dave Rennie’s Wallabies squad. #SuperRugbyAU https://t.co/7eqeJu82kO

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Brumbies assistant Rod Seib felt there was an upside to avoiding such a long break.

“We would have had a few weeks off if that had of eventuated and there’s pros and cons around that but I think we’re now in a good position, having a week’s rest before we play finals,” Seib said.

Looking to move well clear of the Force, who host the winless Waratahs, the Rebels have everything to play for.

Brumbies hooker Lachlan Lonergan, who had his first taste of the Wallabies in their three-day camp in Sydney this week expected another tight tussle.

His brother Ryan kicked a penalty match-winner after full-time the last time the Brumbies and Rebels met.

“They need a win and we also need a win after coming off that loss on the weekend,” Lachlan said.

“It would be good for everyone’s mindset to go into finals with a good win under our belt.”