We currently sit fourth in the conference on 14 points, equal with the Force but behind them on points difference.

The Rebels are only a win behind the pair of us, currently last in the Aussie conference but with 10 points.

The Brumbies are on top, just three points ahead of us, followed by the Waratahs in second, two points above us. A win tonight and all of a sudden we could be on top of the conference, it's just that close.

Every year it seems our conference cops criticism for being the weakest in Super Rugby and then follows the media discussion of Australian rugby not having the depth to field five teams.

But you have to remember the programs in Perth and Melbourne are young compared to much of the rugby world. The Force started in 2006 as the fourth Australian Super Rugby team and the Rebels are much younger, starting in just 2011.

We're finally starting to see these teams hold their own in the competition and I think Australian rugby and the Wallabies as a whole will be better for it.

In their most recent game, the Force knocked off the Chiefs – the back-to-back competition champions. Meanwhile the Rebels' most recent win came against the Brumbies, last year's finalists.

In previous years, we could have been accused of taking a team like the Force lightly. Last year they took it to us, resulting in us losing to them up here at Suncorp Stadium and then drawing to them in Perth.

They are the last team we lost to at our fortress. They've always got up for the big games and are a physical side, but consistency has been the key for them this year, as they chase four wins in a row for the first time.

We intend to stop their run of wins tonight and improve our own standing within the Australian Conference, but the fact is the competition between the Australian teams is as strong as it has ever been.