Preview: Brumbies v. Blues

The Brumbies head over to New Zealand to take on the winless Auckland Blues at Eden Park on Friday evening.

Although the Blues have failed to win a game in 2015, this game looms as a danger game for the Brumbies and one they can ill afford to lose with the Waratahs breathing down their neck in the Australian conference standings.

For the Brumbies to add to their two-match winning streak over the Blues, they will have to be far more clinical in their execution than in the scrappy win over the Cheetahs last weekend and is something they have focused heavily on during the week after bombing a number of tries.

The Blues are finally back at their spiritual home ground and will be looking to finally give their fans something to cheer about. Despite seven losses this year – nine if you include the final two of the 2014 season – the hosts biggest loss has been by 12 points which indicates the effort is there even if there are rumblings about Sir John Kirwan’s coaching tenure and the playing futures of Charles Piutau and Francis Saili away from New Zealand.

They were right in the game against the Chiefs in Hamilton in their last game and the Brumbies will be hoping to avoid the Blues party spoiling like they did back in 2012 when the Brumbies were on the verge of the finals for the first time in eight years.

Prop Scott Sio said the Brumbies won’t be taking the opposition lightly, especially with All Blacks experience scattered throughout the starting 15.

“A lot of their losses were very close and there wasn’t much in it. We know how dangerous they are and they’ll be back at home and every team wants to perform at home so it’s going to be a big game for us and we got to make sure we front up.”

The Brumbies are renowned quick starters on the scoreboard with the most tries in the opening twenty minutes and will need more of the same to take the crowd out of the game at a venue where they have done reasonably well in the past.

Key Match Ups

Sio v Faumuina

A big front row battle is on the cards with Scott Sio up against All Black tighthead Charlie Faumuina. Sio had a huge game against the Cheetahs in both scrums and general play and will hopefully put on a similar display as he seeks to establish himself firmly in Wallabies coach Michael Cheika’s sights for the World Cup squad.

Butler v Kaino

Jarrad Butler has been a solid contributor to the Brumbies since his move down from Queensland for the 2014 season. This week he comes up against All Black Jerome Kaino who has been one of the shining lights in an otherwise disappointing season for the Blues and has recently re-signed for three more years.

Butler filled the big arms shoes of David Pocock in 2014 and has performed well at both openside and the number 8 role in 2015 and seems to be getting better with every game.

Prediction

This next period of games for the Brumbies are crucial if they are to stay on top of the Australian conference. The Brumbies know they missed a great chance to secure a bonus point last week and will be looking to make up for missing out.

The fact the Brumbies have a more settled side whilst the Blues have made a few changes in key personnel has me leaning towards the Brumbies. Leaving Keven Mealamu on the bench is an interesting choice especially against Stephen Moore and the absence of Jimmy Cowan on paternity leave could prove the difference.

Brumbies by 7

Teams

Blues v Brumbies