This is a must-win game for the Brumbies.
Brumbies fans, and Matt To’omua , will remember the same match in 2013, when the ball was passed forward from the Brumbies’ in-goal at the end of the game. The Force were leading 21-15 and had just miss a penalty goal—and To’omua was looking for a quick 22-metre dropout. The trouble was that he neglected to ground the ball before the pass for the quick kick and the Force ended the game after kicking for touch from the scrum.
The Brumbies lost any chance of scoring a late try and getting ahead of the Bulls for second spot and a week off. They still made the final but that extra game they played, and travelling to Loftus for a semi, could have been the killer when they went down to the Chiefs in the final.
But back to the present. The Brumbies have all that is needed for an easy run in the west. Despite the last addition of their injury list – Sam Carter being out – they have a superior starting XV, more determination, and most of all – a clear reason to win the game.
These are all factors lacking in the Western Force, except when they play the Waratahs. The men of the west have only won two games, both against the reigning champions.
Blake Enever will replace Sam Carter as lock
The form
The Force have lost two on the trot and will play their last home game before travelling to Melbourne and likely getting the wooden spoon. They would rather put this disastrous season behind them as soon as possible and concentrate on the next.
Although the care factor will be relatively low, the Brumbies can never underestimate an wounded opponent. Players like Ben McCalman, fresh from a contract extension – or captain Matt Hodgson – are proud, and will not surrender easily.
On the other side the Brumbies must win the game to keep the pressure on the Waratahs. They are in good form having won their last two games (against the Bulls and the Lions) and lost a squeaker to the Stormers in the Republic before that.
The only change for the Brumbies is that Blake Enver will play his fifth game for them, replacing the injured Sam Carter.
Henry Speight scored twice against the Bulls last week.
The key players
The Brumbies will rely on their forwards to keep the pressure on the Force and create space for their backs. Expect a nitty-gritty fight between the backrowers, with Wallaby David Pocock demanding the number 7 gold jersey.
In-form winger Henry Speight should carry on his great form from last week.
The Force fans will say goodbye to Sam Wykes before his move to Japan—we should expect a fitting farewell game by the veteran lock against the two youngsters, Enever and Arnold.
Sam Wykes – last home game with the Force .
Prediction
The Brumbies will win the game; the margin may vary from the narrowest to the ridiculous, but my money will be on Larkham’s boys.
Brumbies by 8
Force v Brumbies
 |  | 
|
| Pek Cowan | 1 | Scott Sio |
| Nathan Charles | 2 | Stephen Moore |
| Guy Millar | 3 | Ben Alexander |
| Sam Wykes | 4 | Rory Arnold |
| Adam Coleman | 5 | Blake Enever |
| Angus Cottrell | 6 | Scott Fardy |
| Matt Hodgson | 7 | David Pocock |
| Ben McCalman | 8 | Ita Vaea |
| Alby Mathewson | 9 | Nic White |
| Zack Holmes | 10 | Christian Lealiifano |
| Nick Cummins | 11 | Joe Tomane |
| Kyle Godwin | 12 | Robbie Coleman |
| Marcel Brache | 13 | Tevita Kuridrani |
| Luke Morahan | 14 | Henry Speight |
| Dane Haylett-Petty | 15 | Jesse Mogg |
| Reserves | ||
| Heath Tessmann | 16 | Josh Mann-Rea |
| Chris Heiberg | 17 | Allan Alaalatoa |
| Tetera Faulkner | 18 | Ruan Smith |
| Steve Mafi | 19 | Jordan Smiler |
| Kane Koteka | 20 | Jarrad Butler |
| Ryan Louwrens | 21 | Michael Dowsett |
| Luke Burton | 22 | Nigel Ah-Wong |
| Patrick Dellit | 23 | James Dargaville |
| Location: | nib Stadium, Perth | |
| Kickoff: | Fri 5 Jun 21:00 | |
| Referee: | Angus Gardner | |
| Assistant Ref 1: | Damien Mitchelmore | |
| Assistant Ref 2: | Graham Cooper | |
| TMO : | Peter Marshall |
Kick off – 7:00 p.m. WST (9:00 p.m. AEST) Friday 5 June
.
