The Brumbies are up and running in 2009 and coach Andy Friend believes their early momentum will aid the Super 14 side in Saturday's clash against the Western Force in Canberra.

Friend has named an unchanged side for the first Australian derby of the season.

Injury concerns Patrick Phibbs (corked thigh), Clyde Rathbone (ankle), Francis Fainifo (head knock) and Stephen Hoiles (ankle) have all been cleared to play.

The Brumbies have had two close calls to start the season, beating the Highlanders 33-31 at the House of Pain in Dunedin before pipping the Crusaders 18-16 last Saturday in Canberra.

But Friend says the side's ability to rally when it matters demonstrates a depth of character that will continue to serve them well.

"It's nice to be able to pick the same team for three weeks running.

"These guys have got the job done for the first two games, they're building combinations and building some momentum which is very important.

"The boys have done well. There are parts of our game that can improve, it's early days yet and the attitude and the character the boys have shown has been tremendous."

The Brumbies are sitting in third place on the competition ladder and knowing his side have plenty of improvement in them is another reason for Friend's optimism.

"You couldn't ask for a better start, actually you probably could, you could ask for 10 points instead of nine points," he said.

"We're very happy with we're we are at and what we've achieved to date, albeit only two wins, but we'll keep building on that.

"The way the players have adapted, to do the things we needed to in the games, and have stuck to certain things we perceived beforehand as being key to breaking the opposition has been paying off for us."

The Brumbies welcome back Matt Giteau to Canberra Stadium on Saturday, seven days after he announced he would be returning to the capital from the Force next season.

With All Blacks five-eighth Daniel Carter out of action, Giteau is rightly considered the best No.10 in the competition.

He's an ever-present danger, but Friend is conscience of the fact he is not the only threat in the Force side.

"They've got some real quality in their backs," he said.

He is also wary of the Force forward pack and he's expecting a tight battle in the ruck.

"Their backrow I think is very good on the loose ball, that's going to be a real contest there to see who wins that ground battle, and their line-out is also very sound.

"They've got some very strong parts to their game."

Friend is particularly mindful of Wallaby Nathan Sharpe.

"He runs the line-out very well," he said.

"Sharpie as the Wallabies' line-out caller, it's a key part of his game.

"It's a key part of their game, getting that quality ball off that line-out and then setting up first phase attack."

The clash with the Force will be the first of two matches in a row against Australian opposition for the Brumbies, with another blockbuster looming against the Waratahs following a bye.

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