While the Waratahs have won 11 of their 13 encounters against the Brumbies in Sydney, one of those losses was in the only final played between them there – the 2002 semi-final at the SFS. The Brumbies romped to a 51-10 victory.

The Brumbies' only other win up the Hume was in 2012, at the beginning of their resurgence.

Brumbies director of rugby Laurie Fisher said they had come through their epic qualifying final win over the Waikato Chiefs on Saturday night unscathed.

There had been concerns about Sam Carter (ankle), Henry Speight (jaw), Leon Power (head), Jesse Mogg (back) and Josh Mann-Rea (hamstring), but Fisher said they had all pulled up well on Sunday morning and he expecting them all to be available for selection to play the Waratahs.

While Clyde Rathbone (hamstring) will have a fitness test on Monday, Fisher also expects him to be available. Centre Andrew Smith (hamstring) also got through club rugby on Saturday.

Fisher said the Waratahs were deservedly favourites after a stunning season, but said favouritism came with its own pressure.

The Waratahs have not played finals since 2011; the Brumbies are in their second consecutive play-off campaign.

Fisher felt their recent experience would stand them in good stead

"I think we've played one final game up there and won it so we're 100 per cent," Fisher laughed.

"It all counts [experience], it's all the small things that add together.

"I think having won a finals game in South Africa last year, having competed in a grand final game away from home, having beaten the two-times champions at home ... I think all those things help your belief – you know that you've been there and you know that you can do it."

There has been a bitter rivalry between the two teams since Super Rugby began in 1996, when the Brumbies were labelled a bunch of rejects by their more-fancied NSW opponents.

Brumbies legend Joe Roff said there were similarities between those early days and now, as the Brumbies are travelling up the Hume as underdogs to play the glamour team of the competition.

Roff, who played in the sides that won the 2001 and 2004 Super Rugby championships, predicted a close game that would be decided by mental strength.

"It comes down to the character of the side, the culture of the side and certainly from what I've observed the culture of this Brumbies side is as strong as any Brumbies side that I have ever seen or had the honour of playing in," he said.

Chiefs captain and All Black Aaron Cruden said the Brumbies would be hard to stop.

"The way that they're playing, the type of game that they play, they'd be a pretty hard team to roll, especially if they continue to get that good go-forward ball," Cruden said.

"Talking to a few Brumbies boys after the game, they're pretty keen to get up to Sydney and have a little local derby against the Waratahs."

SUPER RUGBY SEMI-FINAL

ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs

Allianz Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm

History: Waratahs 13 wins, Brumbies 11.

In Sydney: Waratahs 11, Brumbies 2

Last clash: Round 17, 2014 –  Waratahs bt Brumbies 39-8 at SFS