Brumbies v Blues Preview

The CA Brumbies have made two changes to their line up to take on the Blues in Auckland on Friday night. Outside centre Stirling Mortlock has succumbed to the shoulder/neck injury he sustained in victory over the Shorks last week and will be replaced by Tyrone Smith.

Two debutants take their place on the bench in outside back Andrew Smith and reserve prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa, who takes over from Guy Shepherdson.

The game is shaping up as tight contest with the Blues coming off the bye and the Brumbies travelling across the ditch on the back of a hard fought win. It could be argued that both teams have yet to fire on all cylinders this season although the Brumbies sit in fifth position and the Blues in tenth.

The Brumbies will be looking to break off the shackles and hopefully play a free flowing game that will get them them a bonus point which has eluded them in the first five rounds of play.

There has been some criticism of the star studded Brumbies backline who have been outscored in the try scoring department by the forwards so far this season. This game could be one where those critics eat their words and see the back line click into gear and this will be largely dependent on how well Matt Giteau plays.

Coach Pat Lam has named a lineup that sees Isaia ‘Ice Man’ Toeava slot in at fullback after recovering from a hip injury. Lam would have also liked to see Luke McAlister return in the centres, however a clash of heads at training with a team mate has led to a fractured nose to continue his horrible run of injuries in 2010.

The Blues will be at their spiritual home of Eden Park for the first time this year and will be looking to put together some consistent play for the Auckland faithful.  The team has shown it can grind out a win with two good victories over Queensland and the Highlanders respectively. However, the team needs to start stringing some wins together during a home stand that sees four of the next five games in Auckland.

The official G&GR Team List can be downloaded here.  Print it out, take it to the pub and take a few copies for your mates too.