Brumbies v Highlanders Super Rugby R5 2012

[Slim 293]

Great deals for students...

And as I've mentioned before, Canberra Stadium is walking distance from the Uni residences...

Student tickets are just $5, or they can grab a ‘6 Pack’ and see all the remaining home games for $20.

These are unbeatable deals, so contact the Brumbies Rugby ticketing hotline on 1300 733 899 or visit brumbies.com.au/Membership/PackageOverview.aspx.


Saturday, 24 March
University of Canberra Brumbies v Highlanders
Canberra Stadium, Bruce
Kick-off: 7.40pm

 

[mudskipper]

Wow great ticks for the students... It will be a good match aginst the Highlanders who are playing well...

 

[Slim 293]

Interesting changes though...

Apparently Carter will return to the starting lineup (rightfully so), but Fardy will return to the bench...

Also, Kuridrani will replace Crawford on the bench...

Fotu isn't too far away:

Brumbies get ready to bring in wrecking ball

Lee Gaskin

March 22, 2012


Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/brumbies-get-ready-to-bring-in-wrecking-ball-20120321-1vkft.html#ixzz1pndfQRg4​

He knocked out an opponent with his first touch of the ball in Canberra club rugby last weekend.

Now ACT Brumbies recruit Fotu Auelua is the ticking timebomb waiting to be unleashed on Super Rugby.

The Brumbies have earmarked the fearsome 115kilogram ball-runner to make a possible debut during next month's tour of South Africa, but until then he's likely to bide his time terrorising opponents for Wests in the Canberra competition.

Just over 30 seconds had elapsed when the rampaging foward bulldozed an Easts player with his first touch of the ball last weekend, his first game on Australian soil for six years.

''I turned around and I saw someone lying straight on their back, so I've been copping a fair bit of slack from the boys, saying I'm a bully,'' Auelua recalled.

''It was more of an accident than anything. It was funny because I bumped into his brother when I watched a movie Monday night. His brother came up to me and said, 'I think you're the one who knocked out my brother'. I didn't know how to react.

''I apologised, but he said, 'no worries, that was great'.''

Wests coach Craig Robberds was just as impressed, believing Auelua could make a devastating impact in Super Rugby.

''He's a powerhouse,'' Robberds said.

''It was probably a bit of a scary sight for the Easts guy.

''I'm not sure he's a player that can go for 80 minutes, but he can go for a good 60-odd and do a lot of damage.''

While the 28-year-old will watch Saturday night's match against the Otago Highlanders from the Canberra Stadium grandstand, the Brumbies are hoping he will be fit enough for next month's tour of South Africa.

The Brumbies face the Pretoria Bulls on April 22 followed by the Johannesburg Lions on April 28 in a double-header crucial to their finals hopes.

Auelua yesterday turned his hand to a less stressful environment, manning the barbecue with several other Brumbies players at the University of Canberra as part of Harmony Day celebrations.

He joined the Brumbies last month after his commitments in Japanese rugby had finished.

Auelua last played in Australia with Sydney Shute Shield club West Harbour in 2006.

An openside flanker or a No.8, Auelua has also been employed in the centres for French club Toulon.

His progression goes up another cog this weekend after being given the all-clear to play a full game for Wests in a trial against the Queanbeyan Whites.

Auelua's hard-running style has led to injuries to both knees - medial collateral ligament damage to his right and a posterior cruciate ligament deficiency on his left.

''I'm not where I want to be yet, but hopefully with another four or five weeks under my belt I should be sweet,'' he said.

''I'm getting better and better with each week.

''The coaches are pretty happy with the team at the moment, so I just have to bite the bullet and see how I go. The boys are playing well and it's been an awesome start. It's a big step ahead of the tough games that are coming up.''

The Brumbies are today expected to make two changes to the team which lost 29-22 to the Waikato Chiefs last weekend.

Lock Sam Carter comes in for Scott Fardy, while Tevita Kuridrani replaces Cam Crawford on the bench. Kuridrani was picked for the trip to New Zealand last weekend but was forced to withdraw because of visa issues.

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/brumbies-get-ready-to-bring-in-wrecking-ball-20120321-1vkft.html#ixzz1pndayPcB​

 

[Brumby Jack]

Brumbies

1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Dan Palmer
4. Leon Power
5. Sam Carter
6. Peter Kimlin
7. Michael Hooper
8. Ben Mowen (c)
9. Nic White
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Henry Speight
12. Pat McCabe
13. Andrew Smith
14. joe Tomane
15. Jesse Mogg

16. Anthony Hegarty
17. Ruaidhri Murphy
18. Scott Fardy
19. Ita Vaea
20. Ian Prior
21. Zack Holmes
22. Tevita Kuridrani

 

[brumsfan]

Fardy unlucky to miss out now, when Fotu and Colby are back, he won't be able to play assuming there are no more injuries to contracted forwards.
Surely Fotu is blindside and 8, not openside and 8

 

[qwerty51]

Brums will win this one, Highlanders were noticeably fatigued a little in their previous game.

 

[Lee Grant]

The Highlanders have amazed us with how they have coped with their butchers bill of injuries, but the chickens will have to come home to roost one day.

We fondly hope that there will be a few circling around Canberra soon.

 

[mudskipper]

Brums will win this one, Highlanders were noticeably fatigued a little in their previous game.

I hope your right... Lealiifano stepped up at flyhalf, a very good player... Looks like McCabe returns to 12 by Brumby Jacks post... i'lll be interested to see Tevita Kuridrani get a run, I watched him at training in mid January, he's a big fast unit...

 

[Slim 293]

White's rotation continues...

Fardy is unlucky not to get a start again after possibly being best on field last week...

But the same thing happened to Carter last week after his excellent performance against the Cheetahs...

I'm all for it as long as these guys continue to perform, and it allows them to stay fresh throughout the long season.

The Brumbies just need to tidy up a few things about their play. A lot of good players in the backline, and now they just have to get them to click.

Hopefully White is over his cold as he can cause a few headaches for the Highlanders defence.

If he and Lilo can create the space there's plenty of big fast units back there to finish it off. And looking at the stats so far those two guys are up there for try assists and linebreak assists...

It's interesting that we've yet to see Kurdrani, Crawford or Sitauti take to the field this year.

 

[qwerty51]

Just get Tomane more involved!

 

[mudskipper]

Fardy had 2 good games... the rotation sysytem is working well for the Brumbies thus far... plenty of talent to still get a shot later in th season... I'm also looking forward to seeing Fotu Auelua get a run in the republic...

 

[suckerforred]

Hopefully White is over his cold as he can cause a few headaches for the Highlanders defence.
.

If not he could just sneeze on them and create and few anyway.....

Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[teach]

I am afraid my money is on the brumbies this weekend. But I am picking a tight one. Had to make a call as it is my turn for the work betting syndicate. A few key players are being rested. Hardie and Thomson are out for this weekend, so it looks like James Haskell will be getting the full 80 as he looks knackered after 20 minutes. Will be interesting to see how he goes.Will he give away his usual kickable penalties or will he manage playing time without getting pinged?
Jared Hoeata still not up to full fitness so he is staying behind.
Backs should be okay though, with Shaun Treeby available to bolster mid field reserves.
Interesting to see if Cowan gets much time. He must be seeing his black jersey slipping away from him and I bet he is not going to let it go easily.
Looking forward to a good one, though with Stormers and Blues on their way I am hoping no injuries.

 

[SuperGrover]

I'm glad that Jake White has stuck with Hooper at 7, but I would like to see Mowen moved to 6 so that Vaea doesn't have to start on the bench.

Although Kimlin has played well at 6, I think he's more a lock and there is more than enough cover for the back-row in Fardy and Auelua without having to play Kimlin there.

 

[The Red Baron]

I am afraid my money is on the brumbies this weekend. But I am picking a tight one. Had to make a call as it is my turn for the work betting syndicate. A few key players are being rested. Hardie and Thomson are out for this weekend, so it looks like James Haskell will be getting the full 80 as he looks knackered after 20 minutes. Will be interesting to see how he goes.Will he give away his usual kickable penalties or will he manage playing time without getting pinged?
Jared Hoeata still not up to full fitness so he is staying behind.
Backs should be okay though, with Shaun Treeby available to bolster mid field reserves.
Interesting to see if Cowan gets much time. He must be seeing his black jersey slipping away from him and I bet he is not going to let it go easily.
Looking forward to a good one, though with Stormers and Blues on their way I am hoping no injuries.

Shit is Thomson out this weekend? As for Jimmy, I have to agree with you there, but his form so far has really not been up to scratch.

I like the look of the Brumbies side. Having Fardy and Vaea on the bench means that the Brumbies won't lose any physicality in the later stages of the game when they come on. They will need sustained physicality at contact and the breakdown against the Highlanders, who are extremely physical.

This should be the match of the round.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Tipping the Brumbies by 5.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I give the Horsies a chance here. They are playing much better this season and the Highlanders have some real injury headaches. They could well have the better of the battle in the pack and the backs are going pretty well. Anybody know what they are paying?

 

[Paradox]

Brumbies kicking game was WOEFUL against the Chiefs. Really needs to improve. I think White will help in the regard.

 

[Slim 293]

I'd allow Nic White to do more of the kicking in general play because aside from that woeful one last week that brought the Chiefs back into the game he's been the best of that bunch in the first 2 games...

 

[Brumby Jack]

Clan:
1. Jamie Mackintosh (C)
2. Andrew Hore
3. Chris King
4. Josh Bekhuis
5. Culum Retallick
6. James Haskell
7. Doug Tietjens
8. Nasi Manu
9. Aaron Smith
10. Colin Slade
11. Hosea Gear
12. Shaun Treeby
13. Tamati Ellison
14. Kade Poki
15. Ben Smith
Reserves
16. Jason Rutledge
17. Bronson Murray
18. Nick Crosswell
19. Elliot Dixon
20. Jimmy Cowan
21. Chris Noakes
22. Buxton Popoali’i