Whether that is at the top of the table will depend on the Chiefs' result against the Highlanders in the earlier game of the night.
Crusaders coach Rob Penney said the Brumbies consistently take sides up front and capitalise on any penalties they gain.
"When they're in the 22m, they're ruthless. That side of it is deeply ingrained in them.
"Stephen Larkham's built a little more attacking flair into their structure which adds another dimension. They'll be a tough ask."
One of the elements involved in taking on the Brumbies challenge is the returning flanker Ethan Blackadder. Given Blackadder's injury history, Penney wasn't concerned about throwing him back into the starting XV immediately.
"He had a good run before his injury. His conditioning is without question. He's got a massive motor and doesn't need to do a lot on the grass to be ready. He won't go 80 minutes, but he's going to add another dimension to us."
Penney admitted concern about the defensive toll on the side during recent outings.
"It's been difficult for us because we haven't had many carries. Our defence stats are massive and our offensive stats haven't been quite the same."
Having had a month off due to a training injury, Blackadder, who will play his 50th game for the side, said the time went quickly; he had rehabilitated well and is looking forward to playing again.
The side had recovered from their loss against the Chiefs, and with wins over the Waratahs and Highlanders, they were concentrating on the Waratahs before thinking about the playoffs.
"We've got to get through the Brumbies first, and then we'll deal with what draw we've got."
He said it was a position he enjoyed back on the blindside of the scrum.
And it would be a good contest with the Brumbies, a forward-based team with a key performer in Rob Valetini in the loose.
"The breakdown is always critical but more so in a game with a [loose] unit like they've got. They have some of the best jacklers in that team, so we've highlighted the breakdown, it's going to be super-important."
Blackadder said while the Crusaders have been forced to make a lot of tackles in recent games, defending was something they liked, and while people were saying they shouldn't be doing that much tackling, it was working for them at the moment.
"If we have to go that far we will."