The Brumbies will be looking to put a dent in the dominance of the New Zealand teams in this year's Super Rugby season when they play the Crusaders in Canberra on Sunday afternoon, but to do so they will have to beat a team they have not defeated since 2009.
The Brumbies will be hoping their camouflage strip will help them break the seven-year drought against the most successful team in Super Rugby history. Australian teams have won only two of 11 games against New Zealand opposition so far this season with the Brumbies blowing away the Hurricanes in round one.
Th Brumbies, who lead the Australian conference on 21 points, are fourth on the Super Rugby table, but four New Zealand teams — the Chiefs (29), Crusaders (27), Hurricanes (25) and Highlanders (23) — have more points.
If competition points alone determined placings on the table, the Brumbies would be eighth because three South African teams — the Stormers (24), Bulls (23) and Lions (22) — also have more points. But is the New Zealand teams who are really setting the pace.
While the Australian conference winner will automatically qualify for the playoffs, the other four Australian teams will be competing against the New Zealand sides for a wildcard entry.
They have not beaten the Crusaders since 2009, when Christian Lealiifano and Mark Gerrard scored tries in the 18-16 victory at Canberra Stadium.
The Brumbies have now lost their last five games against the New Zealand side, who come into the game on the back of a six-match winning streak.
The Brumbies will be hoping to do the country proud with the game kicking off 4.05pm AEST at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.
