Brumbies v Cheetahs, Canberra

[DPK]

Kabamba Floors was impressive against the tahs when he got the ball, he seemed to be the only forward running with real passion and commitment.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Brumbies:

1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Salesi Ma’afu
4. Ben Hand
5. Mitchell Chapman
6. Rocky Elsom
7. Michael Hooper
8. Stephen Hoiles (c)
9. Patrick Phibbs
10. Matt To'omua
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Matt Giteau
13. Tyrone Smith
14. Pat McCabe
15. Julian Huxley

Reserves:
16. Huia Edmonds
17. Guy Shepherdson
18. Mark Chisholm
19. Colby Fainga'a
20. James Stannard
21. Ed Stubbs
22. Alfi Mafi

 

[Moses]

Injuries have forced four changes to the CA Brumbies’ backline to take on the Cheetahs in their Investec Bank Super 14 Week Nine fixture at Canberra Stadium this Saturday night.

Despite the ACT side returning from their competition bye, Stirling Mortlock (back), Josh Valentine (hamstring) and Francis Fainifo (fractured fibula) have all been ruled out of the match through injury.

The vacancies have opened the door for Julian Huxley to make his return to the starting line-up at fullback. His selection comes after a successful Investec Bank Super 14 homecoming against the Chiefs a fortnight ago following a two-year absence after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumour.

The move sees versatile Wallabies fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper shift to the wing while Tyrone Smith has been recalled to the starting line-up to run on at outside centre.

After a starring role against the Chiefs, including setting up the match-winning 78th-minute try, Patrick Phibbs earns his first start of the season at scrumhalf in place of Valentine.

The CA Brumbies forward pack remains unchanged with 18-year-old openside flanker Michael Hooper retaining the ‘7’ jersey after scoring a try on debut at Canberra Stadium two weeks ago.

The ACT bench will also feature several new faces, including Australian Sevens representatives James Stannard and Ed Stubbs. Stannard returns to the CA Brumbies line-up after making one appearance for the side in 2009 while Stubbs, a member of Tuggeranong’s 2009 Tooheys New John I Dent Cup premiership side, is in line to make his Investec Bank Super 14 debut.

Alfi Mafi has also been reinstated on the bench for the first time since Week One against the Force. Mafi has been a strong performer for the Brumby Runners during their season, including a running in a hat-trick of tries in the side’s 36-16 win over the Junior Waratahs.

CA Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend says his side will not be taking the Cheetahs lightly.

“We’re starting to reach the business end of the season and there are still a lot of contenders jostling for those top four positions,” he said. “We realise that one dropped game can have a dire effect on your finals chances, so complacency isn’t something we’re worried about.

“The bye came at the right time for us. We had a charmed run with injuries through the first few weeks but the intensity and physical nature of the Super 14 does knock guys around and it’s good to have that time off, get over any niggles and come back refreshed for the back end of the season.

“I do feel that we are still building towards where we need to be. We showed further improvement against the Chiefs and if we can continue to add that little bit of polish and finish off the opportunities we’re creating then I’m confident we’ll be very dangerous through the closing stages of the competition.”

http://www.brumbies.com.au/act.rugby/page/57936

 

[Spook]

Juan Smith's father has passed away (RIP).

 

[PaarlBok]

Juan Smith's father has passed away (RIP).

probably good news for the Brumbies but very sad for Juan and his family, SA and Tin Ear supporters. Juan has been through tough tough times recently, torn between his beloved Tin Ear team, and a very very sick dad.

My prayers and best wishes to Juan and his family, they have been pretty close and he surely wont play and maybe already on the first plane back home.

Nag ou Grote! Your probably in a better place we living in SA at this very moment!.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Terrible news for Juan Smith....

Any idea who will cover for him?

It's ok I found the changes on their site....

Better change my blog post now....

 

[Lindommer]

PB, you're obviously closer to the intricasies of SAf rugby than we are; how old was Juan's father?

 

[Biffo]

Juan Smith has long been my favourite RSA player. I hope he manages his current grief and that we see him back to his best.

 

[chief]

Sucks, give him the time he needs. Hopefully he returns as good as he ever was. Great player, hope to see him back very shortly though

 

[Hawko]

I would have loved to have seen AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) in 13. It would have helped to evaluate the Wallaby conundrum and IMO would have given them a far stronger look for the run in.

 

[PaarlBok]

PB, you're obviously closer to the intricasies of SAf rugby than we are; how old was Juan's father?

Not sure how old his dad was but he maybe in the 50,s. Giel Smith got ill from a very rear sickness called Rift Valley Fever and died in the Universitas Hospital (my own brothyer died from the same sickness three years ago in the same hospital, while he stayed in Jan KempDorp, small little town more inland north from Kimberley ).

Only 6 persons in SA have died from this sickness, and 87 world wide, you get it from working with infected live stock and or miscito bites.

 

[Brumby Jack]

I was talking a friend in SA and we had a bet on the game, so I have to say: As die Cheetahs Saterdag wen, koop ek vir my 'n Cheetah trui en dra dit met trots vir die res van die seisoen

 

[RugbyReg]

match program here:

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10182.0;attach=941

 

[PaarlBok]

I was talking a friend in SA and we had a bet on the game, so I have to say: As die Cheetahs Saterdag wen, koop ek vir my 'n Cheetah trui en dra dit met trots vir die res van die seisoen

Well, well Jack, what a surprise :yay, fluent Boertaal my broer, mind you the Tin Ear jersey is very close to the Brumby one, probably less sponsor spoiling. Myself love their Orange one, that Orange Tin Ear jersey tells their history, way back when they still was Orange Free State in the good old SA.

 

[reflex]

Is Justin Harrison injured or just not getting picked - even on the bench? He seems to have disappeared last few weeks.

 

[Spook]

Good amount of points. Some very poor execution though

 

[reflex]

Interesting game - after they had massacred yet another try in the first half, the crowd was as close as I have ever felt them to booing the Brumbies. They settled down when they scored two fairly quick tries to finish the half but he crowd was getting pretty unhappy and it was close to turning ugly.

For most of the game the backline didn't look like penetrating but that's nothing new. But at least they stopped those dopey up and under mid field kicks that do nothing except increase the likelihood of the chaser being injured.

Although I am happy with a bonus point win, there wasn't much there to make you too confident when they start meeting some real teams rather than the shambles that was the Cheetahs.

 

[louie]

I was at the game too.
What was interesting for me (and listening to the radio call aftere the game) was i think this was the first time the crowd was really happy to have Gits back. I think this win will be massive for them. Yes it was crap side but putting that much on still shows something.
Also i've never seen Rocky look so happy when he got the man of the match. i think he really loves canberra.

A big deal will be made of Huxs post match interview. He claimed that he couldn't remember much of the match and was blanking in and out of the game.

 

[Spook]

i think he really loves canberra.

What makes you think this Louie? Rocky is a little bit different to most people. Whilst I call Canberra my home and think it's great, a lot of people don't seem to enjoy the lack of excitement in the place

A big deal will be made of Huxs post match interview. He claimed that he couldn't remember much of the match and was blanking in and out of the game.

ahh shite. This is not good. Normal concussion or something more sinister?

 

[cyclopath]

I think Rocky likes winning. I'm not sure he went there for the nice roads, roundabouts or the "wow" factor. But if it makes you feel better about it. "No, he really likes us, he does, he does!!" :lmao: