Stephen Moore spent seven seasons at the Brumbies.

It’s bizarre to imagine a last stand in Round 7 of any season so maybe Saturday night should be rebranded for what it is.

How about the Reds stand up for the first time in a local derby, especially one in Canberra where there were crashlandings in 2015 (43-24) and 2016 (47-3).

The Reds should be shamed relentlessly for losing eight local derbies in a row since mid-2015, especially when the Brumbies radiate their importance.

Brumbies boss Steve Larkham has orchestrated nine-straight victories over Australian opponents as the bedrock to finals appearances in 2015 and 2016.

Stephen Moore spent seven seasons at the Brumbies.Source:AAP

“Winning games in the Australian Conference is critical when the standings are so tight,” Moore said.

“I’ve been on the other side of it for seven seasons as a Brumbies player so I know how much they like playing at home and how important the local derbies are to them.

“When they’ve won nine or so derbies in a row it shows how well planned they are for them.

“We have to dig in and go there with the same attitude and planning.”

Prop Sef Fa’agase (calf) lifted his running load at training yesterday at Ballymore which is a good sign he will be in selection contention now lock Izack Rodda (ankle) is all clear.

The 18-team structure of Super Rugby may be toxic but the way teams qualify for the top eight means the Reds are still very much alive for a finals berth.

The Australian Conference is treading water right now yet the top finisher still wins direct entry and hosting rights for a playoff.

Moore during his time at the Brumbies.Source:Getty Images

The Reds (1-5) are within a bonus point win of joining the Brumbies (2-3) as conference leaders on 11 points while the NSW Waratahs (2-4) are struggling on eight.

Hooker Moore enjoyed close bonds and success in Canberra and admitted it would be a match of extra meaning on Saturday night.

“It takes me back to (2009) when I played my old Reds teammates in my first-season as a Brumby,” Moore said.

“I will be playing against mates and guys I respect like Scott Fardy, Benny Alexander and Sam Carter and we’ll all be striving hard for that win.”

Reds coach Nick Stiles said teenage back-up flyhalf Hamish Stewart was closer to a debut off the bench in Canberra.

“Now he has had a couple of sessions to get on top of our systems and the speed of it, there is more inclination to put him on if the need is there,” Stiles said.

Originally published as Inside knowledge can end derby hoodoo