CANBERRA - Brumbies backrow enforcers Fotu Auelua and Peter Kimlin are gearing up for another bruising derby against the Melbourne Rebels after successfully "bullying" the Queensland Reds at the breakdown on Saturday.
Backrowers David Pocock, captain Ben Mowen, Kimlin and impact replacement Auelua were instrumental in the Brumbies' 24-6 win over the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
The quartet physically dominated the younger and smaller Reds backrow at the breakdown, constantly slowing down the ball and keeping the Reds' phases to a minimum.
"The talk of the week was to really bully them around that area," Auelua said.
"I think we succeeded in that."
The encounter also involved a few on-field scuffles, but Auelua played down talk the heated exchanges were a tactic to ruffle their opponents' feathers.
"I don't know if it was a tactic, Peter Kimlin just doesn't like getting his hair pulled," Auelua said.
The Brumbies had a significant size advantage against the Reds with an average backrow weight of 111kg, compared to the Reds' 104kg.
However they'll have a tougher time tomorrow outmuscling the Rebels backrow of captain Gareth Delve, Wallaby Scott Higginbotham, Kiwi Scott Fuglistaller and former NRL big-man Jarrod Saffy, who have an average weight of 108kg.