CANBERRA - Brumbies coach Jake White insists the pressure is on NSW - not his side - to prove they deserve top spot in the Australian conference ahead of their highly-anticipated Super Rugby clash tonight.
It looms as a crunch match for both sides, with surprise leaders the Brumbies looking to extend their five-point buffer at the head of the conference with a victory at home.
The Waratahs, on the other hand, are looking to press their claims for finals by closing the gap on their rivals, with 20,000 expected at Canberra Stadium to see whose intentions become reality.
White on Thursday acknowledged the hype surrounding the game, but said his job was to ensure his players don't get sucked in by it.
He's pressed them to remember that it's the Waratahs - not the Brumbies - who'll bear the biggest burden on the night to pull off a win.
"It's probably more season-defining for them more so than it is for us," White said.
"It's make or break for them and with that comes added pressure for us.
"But it's not a war against the Waratahs. For us, it's just another game."
White's men aren't lacking in confidence after coming back from a tough fortnight in South Africa with a hard-earned seven points in clashes with the Bulls and the Lions - making it their best performance there since 2002.
It made a statement about the Brumbies' potential to make the playoffs this year after a seven-year drought - and a win over the Waratahs would only emphasise the call.