The Brumbies are looking to make it four wins in a row when they take on the Stormers on Saturday night in Canberra.
Last weeks game against the Waratahs was a very physical battle and has taken its toll with a mounting injury list creating a few problems at the selection table. Already missing from this game through injury are David Pocock, Fotu Auelua, Christian Lealiifano and Clyde Rathbone and after last weeks game the names of Henry Speight, Leon Power and Scott Sio have been added to the list. Tevita Kuridrani will also miss the game to attend a family funeral in is homeland of Fiji.
In the starting lineup there are four changes: In the forwards JP Smith will take the place of the injured Scott Sio and Scott Fardy shifts to lock allowing Jordan Smiler to play at blindside. In the backs Joe Tomane returns from injury to take Henry Speight’s place on the wing and Andrew Smith slotting into outside centre for Tevita Kuridrani.
With all the injuries there is a chance for Jack Whetton to make his debut from the bench. With a pretty good sporting pedigree, Whetton has the chance to step out of the shadow of his father and uncle who both represented the All Blacks.
The Stormers come to Canberra looking to get their season back on track with just one win so far, a last minute win over the Hurricanes back in round 2 and are currently sitting in second last spot on the table.
This match is their third of a four match Australasian tour that has seen them go down narrowly to the Crusaders followed by another loss to the reigning champs, the Chiefs.
The visitors base their game on a strong defensive game that has conceded nine tries but critics suggest there is too much of an emphasis on which is affecting their attacking game that has seen them cross the try line only five times, the least in the competition so far.
The Stormers are also facing injury concerns with fullback Jaco Taute ruled out with a shoulder injury sustained in the Chiefs match. The pacy Gio Aplon takes Taute’s place and Juan de Jongh has answered the SOS call from Allister Coetzee and will be amongst the substitutes.
Lock De Kock Steenkamp has headed home with a groin injury leaving the Cape Town based side scrambling for yet another locking combination.
Not all is lost for the Stormers though with Schalk Burger getting back to his best after a lengthy period out of the game due to serious injury and illness (bacterial meningitis) and his experience along with Jean de Villiers will give the side some much needed stability as they look to add to their two match winning streak over the Brumbies.
Here are the key matchups.
The Breakdown
Schalk Burger has always been a menace at the breakdown and this will be no different. Jarrad Butler has had to fill some big shoes in David Pocock’s injury absence and has done a good job so far and this will be another stern test for him.
Duane Vermeulen is another with Springbok experience and his combination with Burger will be crucial if they are to gain just their second win of the year and is an area the Brumbies will need to keep a close eye on.
Defence
The Stormers are renowned for their defence, averaging over 105 tackles per match in 2014. This fixture has averaged less than four tries in six of the last seven meetings so it will be hard work for the Brumbies to get a four try bonus point in this match.
The Brumbies rush defence against the Waratahs was the key to stifling their attack and expect to see more of the same to keep the Stormers attacking threats like Jean de Villiers and Gio Aplon quiet.
The Verdict
The Brumbies would be on a high after last weeks win over the Waratahs and despite a worrying injury list they should get the win over a team struggling to score tries and can’t rely solely on the boot of Peter Grant to get a much needed win. Brumbies by 9.
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Brumbies
1. JP Smith
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Scott Fardy
5. Sam Carter
6. Jordan Smiler
7. Jarrad Butler
8. Ben Mowen (c)
9. Nic White
10. Matt Toomua
11. Robbie Coleman
12. Pat McCabe
13. Andrew Smith
14. Joe Tomane
15. Jesse Mogg
Replacements
16. Siliva Siliva
17. Ruan Smith
18. Ruaidhri Murphy
19. Jack Whetton
20. Lachlan McCaffrey
21. Michael Dowsett
22. Stephan van der walt
23. Lionel Cronje
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Stormers
1. Steven Kitshoff
2. Tiaan Liebenberg
3. Frans Malherbe
4. Ruan Botha
5. Michael Rhodes
6. Deon Fourie
7. Schalk Burger
8. Duane Vermeulen
9. Nic Groom
10. Peter Grant
11. Sailosi Tagicakibau
12. Damian de Allende
13. Jean de Villiers
14. Kobus van Wyk
15. Gio Aplon
Replacements
16. Stephan Coetzee
17. Oliver Kebble
18. Brok Harris
19. Siya Kolisi
20. Nizaam Carr
21. Louis Schreuder
22. Demetri Catrakilis
23. Juan de Jongh
[/one_half]
Kick off: 7:40pm (AEDT)
Referee: Glen Jackson
AR1: James Leckie
AR2: Andrew Lees
TMO: Peter Marshall
