There is speculation the Western Force will be cut from Super Rugby, but what does it mean for the Brumbies?

They are no household names but they're the four loose forwards quietly finding their feet, and some influence, within the new generation Waratahs.

ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham will stick with his rotation policy for the remainder of the season.

• COMMENT

The hysterical tone gripping coverage of both the AFL women's competition and Super Rugby proves there is little room for rationality when the snowball effect takes over.

All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith has opened up about the toilet tryst which resulted in him being sent home from South Africa and suspended for a match late last year. 

Christian Lealiifano has been impressed with his understudy Wharenui Hawera this season.

New Waratahs back-rower Ned Hanigan says he was "crapping bricks" before his Super Rugby starting debut but feels more assured at the top level and is hell-bent on "giving it to the Crusaders" next up.

• ANALYSIS

The Waratahs and Wallabies No.10 is the country's most valuable asset, bar none.

Daryl Gibson has described the Waratahs' win over the Rebels as "chicken soup for the soul" and has asked his players to channel the belief they can come back from anything when they tackle Super Rugby's frontrunners the Crusaders in Sydney on Sunday.

Quade Cooper cried foul as the depleted Queensland Reds crashed to a 22-8 Super Rugby loss to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

Super Rugby: ACT Brumbies talking points

The Brumbies fell short against the Highlanders for the second time in seven months in Canberra.

Last week their timing sucked. This week it was sublime as the Blues snapped their three-game Super Rugby losing skid in the most glorious of style.

• Live

The ACT Brumbies are desperate to stop the rot against New Zealand teams, targeting their first win against a Kiwi opponent in more than a year.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says chief minister's comments highlight the importance of keeping the Brumbies in Canberra.

Waratahs match-winner David Horwitz says he is one relieved man after backing himself to dive over and score a potentially season-defining try with seconds remaining against the Rebels in Melbourne.

Bernard Foley concedes he was somewhat rusty in his first Waratahs game of the year but he and coach Daryl Gibson agree NSW showed tremendous character with their "backs against the wall" to scrape by and beat the Melbourne Rebels in their own backyard.

A quarter of the way through the Super Rugby season and you don't need me to tell you it's been a battle for the Australian teams.

The Rebels face a fresh injury crisis after losing five players during their loss to NSW Waratahs on Friday night.