Brumbies v Highlanders Super Rugby R5 2012

[teach]

Damn, might have to change my bet to favour the Highlanders. The squad is not as weak as I thought it was going to be. Looking forward to seeing Culum Retallick in action. All 199cm. Should be useful in the lineouts.

 

[The Red Baron]

That's still a pretty strong team from the clan. Interesting that Treeby slots straight back in to the starting side after being out with injury.

The ponies are really going to take it to them in the piggies I think.

 

[teach]

I had heard a little rumour that they were going to field a few more second string players, to rest some of the top guys. In hindsight I can't really see Jamie Joseph throwing a game away for any reason.
The forwards battle should be a cracker. Hopefully Haskell will front up there. he should be used to tight forward play.

 

[The Red Baron]

I had heard a little rumour that they were going to field a few more second string players, to rest some of the top guys. In hindsight I can't really see Jamie Joseph throwing a game away for any reason.
The forwards battle should be a cracker. Hopefully Haskell will front up there. he should be used to tight forward play.

I agree with you 100%.

 

[Troy]

Looking forward to this game - the Brumbies & the Highlanders have been playing really well. The Highlanders are favorites, but every team comes unstuck for 1 game and I just reckon this could be the game..

 

[Bullrush]

The Highlanders have never started a Super Rugby season with 5 wins....are they taking the Brumbies lightly or does JJ have that much faith in his squad depth?

 

[teach]

It is an interesting position. Do you take the time and rest top players with an eye on the finals? Or do you make substitutions to blood the reserves in case they are needed. By being 4 from 4, he has a bit of pressure off him.
JJ had a horror pre season in terms of injuries so the reserves are 2nd choice reserves, not first, in some cases.
Probably not taking brumbies lightly, but managing players and maybe prepared to drop a game.

 

[The Red Baron]

Brumbies vs Sharks 1996 at Manuka Oval is on fox at the moment. Brilliant way to kick off the rugby this weekend! I was at that game. It got me all nostalgic about how school would let the rugby players go down to Manuka oval to watch the Brumbies when they played there on a friday arvo, and sometimes the Kookas.

Lets hope the Brumbies repeat the result this weekend.

 

[Dan54]

The Highlanders have never started a Super Rugby season with 5 wins....are they taking the Brumbies lightly or does JJ have that much faith in his squad depth?

I don't think JJ taking Brumbies lightly, the boys that have been replaced all got nigglesw I think.
Got the makings of a good game this one.

 

[mudskipper]

Highlanders not a chance they have to play out doors this weekend... .... no fancy roof to keep them warm there...

 

[Brumby Jack]

Highlanders not a chance they have to play out doors this weekend... .... no fancy roof to keep them warm there...

Having just been out to Canberra Stadium I can confirm its bloody freezing!!!

They call it Kelvinator Castle for a reason!

 

[The Red Baron]

That's why I prefer Suncorp!

Of all teams though, you would think that the clan should be able to play in freezing conditions...even with their fancy new stadium.

 

[Slim 293]

Prior's inspiration​

Chris Dutton

March 23, 2012

Ian Prior's time at the Brumbies is a world away from the horrors of his past in Zimbabwe. Photo: Melissa Adams


The painful and traumatic life his family fled Zimbabwe to avoid is the inspiration behind Ian Prior's Super Rugby career.
Being tied up and robbed at gun point, having homes torched and dogs poisoned are experiences that will haunt his family forever.
But after his parents decided to start a new life in Australia a decade ago, Prior is determined to repay them for giving him an opportunity to chase his rugby dream.
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Prior joined the ACT Brumbies this year to launch his career as an emerging scrumhalf.
It's the first time he has moved away from his tight-knit family, now based in Queensland. Canberra is a world away from the crime and violence he grew up with in Zimbabwe.
''I'm just really fortunate to have my parents and what they did for me and my sister,'' Prior said.
''It was a big call to come to Australia and start all over again and it obviously affects you.
''That's why I'm so grateful because they've given me the opportunity to be where I am today.''
Prior's journey began in Queensland.
His parents - Ivor and Caroline - moved from Zimbabwe to Australia in 1987 to start a family.
Just three years after Prior was born, they moved back to Zimbabwe in 1993 to be closer to his mother's relatives.
He grew up in an environment where a 12-foot security wall around their house, security guards and dogs seemed normal.
But as the country spiraled deeper into violence and danger, the Priors lived in fear. The majority of his family are farmers.
The conflict in Zimbabwe stemmed from president Robert Mugabe encouraging war veterans and youth militia to take back land from white farmers. It crippled the country as Mugabe started forcible land distribution.
Ivor Prior worked in agriculture, but his family was safe in its protected city home. Ian Prior's grandparents weren't so safe.
The Brumbies halfback tells the story of his grandparents being tied up and robbed at gun point when the rebels stormed their house. His aunt, uncle and three cousins were given 30 minutes to get out of their home before it was torched and their dog was poisoned.
It prompted the Priors to try to begin a new life in Australia in 2000.
For three years Prior didn't have a bedroom of his own. He slept on the floor in his dad's office at their home as dozens of family and friends moved to Queensland to join them.
But Prior doesn't regret anything and says his journey so far has made him the person he is.
''The good thing is everyone got away and now [my aunt, uncle and cousins] live 15 minutes away from where my parents are,'' Prior said.
''When all of our extended family got here they all stayed with us, we probably had 10 people in our house for three years consecutively.
''I guess I didn't fully understand it when I was younger, but we knew of it and it's scary.
''I'm just lucky that my parents were able to move and I didn't have to deal with the consequences.''
Now he's trying to launch his Super Rugby career.
Prior kick-started his career as a jack-of-all-trades for the Queensland Reds last year.
This year he's in a battle with Nic White to be the Brumbies' first-choice No.9. He earned his first Super Rugby start last week against the Waikato Chiefs, but returns to the bench for tomorrow's match against the Otago Highlanders.
Prior, 21, says the Brumbies have become his ''new family'' in Canberra.
His parents bought plane tickets from Brisbane to Canberra for the first three home games of the 2012 season and will be at Canberra Stadium tonight. He plans to buy their tickets in the future.
''I'm close to my family and they've been to a few games now, it is tough being away from them but it's part of growing up.
''[My parents] have done so much for me over the years.
''My parents mean a lot to me and to be in a position to maybe buy some plane tickets, I'll help in any way I can.
''But I've found it easy to fit in here because I knew a few of the boys from the [Australian] under 20s and when you spend as much time together as we do you really do become a new family.''

 

[Slim 293]

I won't post the full article... but I love McCabe's attitude as summed up in the headline:

There's nothing respectable about losing, we need to win

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/theres-nothing-respectable-about-losing-we-need-to-win-20120322-1vmop.html#ixzz1px7VHb14

 

[Slim 293]

Nic White is in doubt for tomorrow as he continues to struggle with illness...

Personally, I'd be happy just to see him play half an hour... do some damage to the opposition and then let Prior take over...

 

[teach]

He is going to have a battle on his hands to dominate his opposition. He is up against one of the form half backs in the NZ conference, and his reserve is highly motivated to perform.

 

[teach]

Highlanders seek historic streak


NATHAN BURDON
The Highlanders can create history tonight if they knock over the Brumbies in Canberra.

No Highlanders team has ever won its first five games of the season, but Jamie Joseph's men have the opportunity at Canberra Stadium after wins over the Chiefs, Crusaders, Waratahs and Hurricanes.

The Highlanders have managed a four-game winning streak to start the season on two other occasions, on both occasions going on to make the playoffs – in 1999 when they went on to host the final against the Crusaders, and again the following season when they were bundled out in the semi-finals.

Tonight presents several challenges for the Highlanders.

The Brumbies have been a sticky team this year under new coach Jake White.

They came from behind to beat the Force in round one and then edged out the Cheetahs by a point after Southland referee Keith Brown awarded them a scrum penalty on the hooter.

Despite a brave performance they lost 29-22 to the Chiefs thanks to a late try by the home team last weekend, but they remain unbeaten in Canberra.

Six players made their debut in the opening round, but they do have experience in the forwards in the form of prop Ben Alexander and hooker Stephen Moore, while the backs are lead by mercurial playmaker Christian Lealiifano with the pace of winger Henry Speight and fullback Jesse Mogg out wide.

As the Chiefs found out last week, they are a team which loves to feed off opposition mistakes.

The Highlanders haven't won in Canberra since 2006 and have only managed two wins there in total.

Most of those matches were played against far better Brumbies team than the current squad, and this Highlanders team is also a better side than the one which has headed over the Tasman in recent times.

However, a range of niggly injuries, and the demands of the opening month of the competition, has seen Joseph make several changes to his starting team.

Chris King comes back into the front row for Ma'afu Fia after resting a groin injury for a week, while Culum Retallick gives Nick Crosswell a well-earned break a lock.

Foot and neck niggles to John Hardie and Adam Thomson, respectively, will see Doug Tietjens start on the openside flank and James Haskell on the blindside.

Aaron Smith regains the No 9 jersey from Jimmy Cowan while Shaun Treeby replaces Phil Burleigh in the midfield.

Changing more than a third of the starting team could be considered a risk, but King and Smith are starters and Joseph did not have much choice with the others.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/6630079/Highlanders-seek-historic-streak

 

[Brumby Jack]

Nic White is in doubt for tomorrow as he continues to struggle with illness...

Personally, I'd be happy just to see him play half an hour... do some damage to the opposition and then let Prior take over...

Yeah he only lasted about 15 mins of the captains run. This virus he has is hard to treat and is related to glandular fever in some way. Not being a doctor I have no idea how to explain it.

 

[vidiot]

I hope its not too closely related. Contact+glandular fever =ruptured spleen.

 

[Ruggo]

Yeah he only lasted about 15 mins of the captains run. This virus he has is hard to treat and is related to glandular fever in some way. Not being a doctor I have no idea how to explain it.

Let the bloke recover in full. It is a long season ahead. Prior is no doosh and he will fill the role well.

This will be the match of the round in my view. Two of the fittest tearms in the comp and we can look forward to a brutal 80 minutes. All the more reason to rest White.

Go the Brumbies.