It’s only Round 2 but it’s already time for the Brumbies and Waratahs to square off to try and gain an early upper hand in the Aussie conference.
Both teams are coming off wins last week but it was the Brumbies who were the most impressive as they carved up a poor Hurricanes side whilst the Waratahs claimed the win over Queensland.
Based on that you would think the Brumbies are specials but the Waratahs actually have the upper hand in recent games and have won he last four in a row and know how to win in a scrap and have kept the Brumbies to 13 points or less in that run of games.
As the rain is throwing it down as I write this, there is a chance of more rain tomorrow night which will only add to the expected arm wrestle.
The Waratahs scrum had a few problems last week against the Reds and will probably be hoping to avoid any set piece situation that puts the Brumbies at an advantage. With Benn Robinson out with concussion it will be tough game for the front row that includes a debutante on the bench in Matt Sandell coming up against the newly re-signed duo of Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa.
They did, however, match the Brumbies in the rolling maul stakes with one of their own so it will be a big night for both maul defences and to see how the new interpretations are enforced and have gone wiht a 6/2 bench split that includes Wycliff Palu.
The breakdown is where everyone will be watching closely as the Brumbies look to rectify the one part of the game where they weren’t clinical last week to the point David Pocock got a ten minute rest for persistent infringing.
The backs aren’t forgotten with the Waratahs possessing the dangerous attacking threats of Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau, who has caused the Brumbies headaches in the past.
Tomas Cubelli may be new to the Brumbies but he knows about the rivalry after witnessing one of these games in person a few years ago when in town with Pampas XV for a tournament.
Key Matchups
Pocock v. Hooper
The pair that made up the Pooper combo at the Rugby World Cup will assume their own identity in a matchup that should decide the game. Both have different attributes as a 7 but are both crucial to their team.
Prediction
Even though both teams won last week, I saw more from the Brumbies through my biased eyes last week when they kept the foot on the Hurricanes throat when they could have eased up. It will be probably be a real grind but the Brumbies by less than 7.
Teams
BRUMBIES
1. Scott Sio, 2. Stephen Moore (c),3. Ben Alexander, 4. Blake Enever, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Scott Fardy, 7. David Pocock, 8. Ita Vaea, 9. Tomás Cubelli, 10. Christian Lealiifano (c), 11. Joe Tomane, 12. Matt Toomua, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Aidan Toua
Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 19. Jordan Smiler, 20. Jarrad Butler, 21. Michael Dowsett, 22. Andrew Smith, 23. Nigel Ah Wong
Waratahs
1. Paddy Ryan, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Dean Mumm, 5. Will Skelton, 6. David Dennis
7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jed Holloway, 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Kurtley Beale, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. David Horwitz, 13. Rob Horne, 14. Matt Carraro, 15. Israel Folau
Reserves: 16. Tolu Latu, 17. Matt Sandell, 18. Jeremy Tilse, 19. Sam Lousi, 20. Wycliff Palu, 21. Jack Dempsey, 22. Matt Lucas, 23. Bryce Hegarty 24 Reece Robinson* – on standby for Matt Carraro
