Scott Sio’s had enough.
Enough of his Brumbies being outmuscled and trampled on by the NSW Waratahs.
They’ve lost five of their past six derbies, their last win being almost two years ago.
But the star prop, buoyed by a new three-year deal with the Canberra outfit, wants to bring an end to it in Friday night’s Super Rugby showdown at GIO Stadium.
“We have to come together as a group, draw a line in the sand, and say `enough is enough’ and really step up to them,” he said.
“That starts tomorrow.
“You don’t win unless you win the physical battle and it’s something we’re looking to rectify.”
Sio – who supported the `Tahs as a kid in Sydney – will make his return to the starting side after being eased back from World Cup injuries off the bench in the Brumbies’ season-opening 52-10 win over the Hurricanes last week.
The Wallabies’ first-choice loosehead prop was a target signing for the Brumbies, who lose Test captain Stephen Moore to the Queensland Reds and Matt Toomua to English club Leicester at season’s end.
There’s also a chance they could be without superstar flanker David Pocock, whose future remains in the air.
Sio, 24, feels he’s got plenty of unfinished business both with the Brumbies – whom he joined in 2012 – and the Wallabies, with one eye on the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
“With Australian rugby, there is so much I want to achieve still – higher honours,” he said.
“But to be able to achieve that, you’ve got to do well at Super Rugby level.
“(The Brumbies) have shown a lot of faith in me, so it comes down to me being able to repay that faith over the next three years and I believe in my ability that I can.”
Staying close to family in Sydney also played a big part in his decision, with Sio involving his parents in discussions about his next move.
Sio’s new deal came the same week that long-time friend, fellow front-rower and Wallabies prospect Allan Alaalatoa, signed until at least 2019.
Coach Stephen Larkham labelled the pair the “cornerstone” of his team, given how much they contribute to the Brumbies’ trademark set-piece.
“Those negotiations have been going on for a while and it’s pleasing we can put them to bed and move on with others,” he said on Thursday.
Alaalatoa takes Sio’s place on the bench, while Blake Enever replaces Rory Arnold at lock in the only other change to the side that spanked the Hurricanes.
Squirrel
Guest
Tahs did not need to try against qld. They will be a lot tougher in the forwards this week but yeah the brumbies forwards are magnificent and should be too strong unless Folau and out backs have blinders and shred the brumbies backs. Forwards vs backs can't wait for this one
Paul
Guest
And you won't even make the finals if all you have is a scrum. If I had to choose as a coach between having to fix a scrum and having to fix everything else, I know what I'd prefer.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
The Brumbies have a TH, his name is Ben Alexander. He is still in the top five of super rugby tight heads and always has been. Write him off at your peril, lucky for you Paddy will shoulder the blame for your disrespect.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
Maybe, but they won't win a title with a powder puff scrum.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Qld might have been stronger in the scrums, but otherwise the NSW 8 dominated the Qld pack. The Reds were often backpedalling even in attack, yet the Tahs got excellent go forward.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
The NSW pack will be a pushover (literally) as seven of the Reds proved. Scott could stay home that day.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Excellent news for the Brumbies, signing both those props up for some time. Lock in Rory Arnold and find a TH. Then of course Pocock and Toomua. Toomua is a massive loss next year, though Cubelli could be a real find, and they still have Lea and Kuridrani. The Tahs have lost Kepu and of course JackPots from their pack, which won't help their abrasiveness. Holloway adds something different to JackPots. Kepu's departure just leaves a big hole. I hope Ta'avo improves on last week, though I must say paddy Ryan looked very fit in the open field. If he could scrum...