'We probably haven't played our best footy'

SPOTLIGHT: Brumbies fullback Tom Banks is predicting a tougher back end to Super Rugby AU after the ladder leaders reached the halfway point unbeaten.

They edged Queensland Reds with a penalty after full-time in the last round to maintain their winning streak.

The Brumbies seven points clear of the Reds on the ladder, while Melbourne Rebels are a point further back in third.

Before their return encounter with the Rebels on Friday at Leichhardt Oval, Banks said beating the other four Australian teams had given them confidence they could go all the way to the title.

“Obviously a lot of confidence,” said Banks, when asked what they’d taken from their record.

“We probably haven’t played our best footy yet so looking at the second round of this competition we’re going to try to find some more attacking shape and really try to put some good phases together so we can build towards the finals.”

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In their first meeting in round one in early July, the Brumbies accounted for Melbourne 32-26 and with the Rebels finding more rhythm since then Banks – who is looking to add to his four Wallabies caps this year – expected an even tighter affair.

With Melbourne having played two Super Time matches in their four games, Banks said his team would have to scrap until the final whistle.

“Every time we play them it’s a really, really physical game and we know they’re going to bring that so it’s about stepping up and aiming up physically to stop their go-forward,” he said.

“It starts with their forward pack – they’ve got some really strong ball carriers so we need to nullify that and then in the backs, Matt Toomua is playing some really good footy testing out the opposition backline so we’re going to have our hands full.”