Chiefs v Brumbies Super Rugby R4 2012

[Slim 293]

After two close matches against the competition cellar dwellers the Brumbies finally face a real challenge this week against the Chiefs in Hamilton...

Nic White, who was more than impressive against the Cheetahs in his 30 minutes, is still recovering from the flu so Vikings' captain Beau Mokotupu may be drafted into training just in case.

The Brumbies should also find out today if To'omua will play after suffering a medial ligament injury 10 minutes into the Cheetahs match.

To'omua was quiet in round one but has some excellent touches on the weekend, and the 10-12-13 axis was a highlight for the Brumbies.

I would have to leave McCabe on the wing for now, and hopefully Jake White will remove the 7 from Vaea's back and hand it onto Hooper.

 

[brumsfan]

We need a mobile fit fast backrow for this game, it will not be the same start stop style that we have been having, and simply can't carry anyone with a low work rate or lacking to speed to cover tackle.
Hopefully Nic White is OK because he was on track for a MOTM, although Prior looked good as well.

 

[Jets]

This will be a big test for the Brumbies. The Chiefs have hit some form and will be full of confidence after toppling the Cru last Friday.

 

[Brumby Jack]

To'omua is definitely out with a knee injury.

Most likely Lealiifano to fly half and bring McCabe in to take on $onny-Bill illiams.

Looks like the Ita Vaea experiment is over with Hooper at 7 and Scott Fardy, who had a nice cameo on Saturday, on the other side of the scrum.

 

[Slim 293]

Kimlin to the bench or does he slide into lock?

 

[Slim 293]

Brumbies touring squad:

Brumbies touring squad: Ben Alexander, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Anthony Hegerty, Zack Holmes, Michael Hooper, Peter Kimlin, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Pat McCabe, Jesse Mogg, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen, Ruaidhri Murphy, Dan Palmer, Leon Power, Ian Prior, Andrew Smith, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane, Ita Vaea, Nic White.

Ben Hand is being left at home...

 

[brumsfan]

must be kimlin into 2nd row

 

[Brumby Jack]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's Leon Power. He used to play for the Bay of Plenty Steamers.

 

[Bilby]

To'omua is definitely out with a knee injury.

Most likely Lealiifano to fly half and bring McCabe in to take on $onny-Bill illiams.

Looks like the Ita Vaea experiment is over with Hooper at 7 and Scott Fardy, who had a nice cameo on Saturday, on the other side of the scrum.

So how do you know that Hooper's and Fardy are the flankers?

 

[Slim 293]

BJ observes...

He's usually on the money...

 

[Spewn]

Can anyone tell me how Cam Crawford is shaping up at the Brumbies? Is he close to an opportunity?

 

[Brumby Jack]

Crawford seems to be going ok. He was due to play in the Runners games a few weeks back but the weather ended up ruining that.

He'll be on the bench this week because Tevita Kuridrani couldn't get a visa in time.

 

[Slim 293]

Tomane to get job of taming Sonny


FORMER rugby league centre Joe Tomane is set to be given the key defensive assignment on Sonny Bill Williams when the Brumbies play the Chiefs in their Super Rugby game in Tauranga on Friday night.

When Brumbies five-eighth Matt To'omua was ruled out with a knee injury, there was speculation inside centre Christian Lealiifano would move to number 10 and the hard-tackling Pat McCabe would come off the right wing to take on Williams in the midfield.

But indications are Tomane, not McCabe, will be asked to stop Williams, who has been in great form for the Chiefs.

Brumbies coach Jake White was not prepared to play McCabe in the midfield until he was satisfied he had fully recovered from shoulder surgery.

"The object eventually is that we want to try to get Pat into the midfield," White said. "Whether it's this weekend or not, we've got to make a call on that.

"He has played with Christian at 10 and he's played at 12 so it has been a combination that's worked.

"But (it's a question of) whether or not he's fit . . . his shoulder operation and that . . . whether he's actually got the confidence to defend that channel or not."

At 190cm and 102kg, Tomane is bigger than McCabe and, like Williams, has NRL experience.

A former Australian Schoolboys representative, Tomane played for Melbourne Storm and the Gold Coast before switching back to rugby with the Brumbies this year.

The Brumbies will also make a change in their forward pack following the omission of second-rower Ben Hand from the squad that will travel to New Zealand today.

Hand has been replaced in the squad by Leon Power, who started in the Brumbies' 19-17 win against Western Force in Canberra in the opening round, but missed the 24-23 win against the Cheetahs in Canberra last Saturday with a hamstring injury.

Power could start alongside Sam Carter in the second row, but White also has the option of moving Peter Kimlin from blindside flanker to lock and start the versatile Scott Fardy at number six.

Fardy was outstanding when he came off the bench against the Cheetahs.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING:AAP

 

[barbarian]

Is that touring squad accurate? Because it only contains 22 players, or I have lost my marbles and can't count. Surely you'd take a 23rd in case someone goes down in the warmup.

Or will the 23rd player come from the coaching staff...

 

[Brumby Jack]

They've only taken 22 although replace Kuridrani with Cam Crawford.

In the 2 games so far, Jake doesn't always use the bench. Some players named haven't even got on the park.

If all else fails, Steve Larkham could come on - providing there is enough strapping tape.

 

[Brumby Jack]

1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Dan Palmer
4. Leon Power
5. Peter Kimlin
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. Ben Mowen
9. Ian Prior
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Henry Speight
12. Joe Tomane
13. Andrew Smith
14. Pat McCabe
15. Jesse Mogg

16. Anthony Hegarty
17. Ruaidhri Murphy
18. Sam Carter
19. Ita Vaea
20. Nic White
21. Zack Holmes
22. Cam Crawford

 

[qwerty51]

Carter and White on the bench?

 

[Brumby Jack]

White was suffering from flu in the lead up to the last match.

With Carter on the bench, Jake said that he would be rotating the younger players to give them the best chance of playing and easing them into the top level, so it probably is part of that plan

 

[brumsfan]

Its a shame about the forced inside backs changes, but I like the more balanced backrow.
Fardy and Hooper made all the difference at the breakdown in attack and defense, their action and speed allowed for much faster ball and the whole game improved, however they need to be backed up by other players going over the ball and not stopping on it.

Carter has played well and his body with enjoy having some minutes out, still a long way to go.

 

[Slim 293]

Carter was definitely one of the Brumbies' best on the weekend, so I hope to see him come on pretty early against the Chiefs...

White on the bench I can understand, and Prior played well in his first match...

But there's no doubt that White is on another level and don't want to see him riding the pine for too long...