With the trophy cabinets of Brumbies stalwarts Ben Alexander and Stephen Moore undeniably bare, the duo are intent on going one better in Super Rugby in 2014.
They have a staggering 350 Test and Super Rugby caps between them, but when it comes to team successes for Alexander and Moore there is nothing to show.
Best World Cup finish? Third. What of the Bledisloe Cup? It only leaves New Zealand shores for promotional purposes these days.
The less said of the Lions Tour the better – with Australia mauled in the decider.
And as for a Super Rugby title? It was a case of `oh so close’ in 2013 – but still no joy in the decider despite their best efforts.
In fact, since Moore’s Super Rugby debut in 2003, they’ve won just the 2011 Tri Nations championship.
But with the 2015 World Cup around the corner, and a strong desire to go one better in Super Rugby, there’s no lack of incentive to drive the duo to some long sought-after silverware before their contracts are up for renegotiation late next year.
“100 (per cent). (I’m) getting old mate (and) need to start winning some trophies,” Alexander, 29, said.
“Everyone’s probably still a bit disappointed with how (Super Rugby) finished last year.
“Hopefully we can go one step further.”
The duo returned to training last week following a hard earned six-week break.
It gives them a short turnaround for the trial against the Highlanders in Queenstown next Friday, in what will be the Brumbies’ only pre-season match against a Super Rugby team.
“Some of these guys have been training for 18 weeks. I feel a bit behind the other boys, but hopefully by February 22 I’ll be good to go (against the Reds),” Moore, 31, said.
While Moore and Alexander may be two of the Brumbies’ most senior players, it was fellow front rower Scott Sio who figuratively and literally turned heads in his debut season.
The 22-year-old catapulted himself into the Wallabies squad with dominant displays both in the scrum and with ball in hand to earn four Test caps.
“It’s a big season for him. He’s got a really bright future,” Moore said.
“Benny and myself have been around a while now, so we’ve got a fair bit we can share with those (younger) guys and hopefully make them into better scrummagers and better footballers.”