Western Force halves Matt Giteau and Matt Henjak left Canberra for the other side of the country last year and have returned in different colours, ready for their first encounter against old mates.

"I suppose running out to Canberra Stadium getting a boo instead of a cheer will be a bit funny but it's something I'm looking forward to and will cherish for years to come," scrumhalf Henjak told reporters at Canberra Airport.

"I'm not really sure how they'll accept us."

For Giteau, it's an opportunity to face his mentor of many years and one of the code's modern greats, Steve Larkham.

"To play against guys I've played with and respected for so long will be a big challenge for me," the Force flyhalf said.

"I have given him (Larkham) a lot of stick over the years but I've been very quiet this week.

"I don't want to give him too much ammo."

Not that Larkham will need much ammunition.

After a Super 14 season interrupted by injury the Wallaby playmaker will be hoping to lift his side to an important win on Friday night as the race for the finals heats up.

"Whoever wins this game I think will go through and be the only Australian team that will hopefully be in the finals," Giteau said.

"I think it's do-or-die at the moment for both teams."

The much-improved Force are just one point behind the Brumbies and bonus points could prove decisive with just two rounds left after this weekend.

The Brumbies are coming off a bye following a win against NSW and a successful tour of South Africa that turned their season around.

Henjak said the ACT-based outfit is the form team of the competition.

"They would have looked at a lot of tapes of us over the past few weeks and seen where we've been bad (but) we've done a lot of work this week in Sydney though and are looking forward to coming up against a red-hot Brumbies side," he said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP