Ben Mowen to notch up 50th Brumbies game against Chiefs but skipper not satisfied

BRUMBIES captain Ben Mowen will play his 50th game for the franchise on Saturday, but he is putting emotion aside in pursuit of a premiership.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 01: Ben Mowen of the Brumbies gets tackled by Sam Wykes of the Force during the round three Super Rugby match between the Western Force and the ACT Brumbies at nib Stadium on March 1, 2014 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

BRUMBIES captain Ben Mowen may be playing his final game in Canberra, but he is putting emotion aside to view the game as “a big step” towards the ultimate finale of a premiership.

The France-bound backrower, who has been an integral part of the Brumbies’ revitalisation from cellar-dwellers to title threats, runs out for his 50th Brumbies cap against the Chiefs on Saturday night.

“I’m obviously very proud to play 50 this weekend, I sat down at the start of the year and hoped I’d achieve this milestone so I’m very proud to do that,” Mowen said.

“But we want the pathway to keep going, and this is just a big step along that way.

“These are the games you love playing; grand final rematches in front of your home crowd, knockout stage of the tournament, there is everything on the line.

“That’s what makes them so enjoyable.”

But Mowen warned: “Any soft moments against the Chiefs, and they’ll turn the tables on us pretty quickly.”

While the battle of the two backrows will be crucial, most eyes will be on the clash between rival five-eighths Matt Toomua and Aaron Cruden, who have both been in sparkling recent form.

“Matty is a big, physical 10, in saying that he’s probably in the best form of his career, that I’ve ever seen him,” Mowen said.

“Just the development he’s had in the last couple of seasons has been outstanding.

“When you’ve got a 10 that is playing for you the way he’s been playing, it gives the team great confidence.”

The Brumbies hammered the Chiefs in Canberra earlier this season, but that was when the two-time defending champions were without their main strike weapon in Cruden.

“Anytime you’re losing one of your best players, and particularly at No.10, it has huge impact on your side,” Mowen said.

“Since he’s been back, not only as a leader of their group, he’s a big performer for them each week and we’re going to have our hands full.”

Originally published as Ben Mowen to notch up 50th Brumbies game against Chiefs but skipper not satisfied