The Brumbies will be looking to get themselves back in the winner’s circle when they take on the Auckland Blues on Sunday afternoon.
The last two matches have resulted in very disappointing losses to the Rebels and Hurricanes so a victory here will hopefully put some space between them and the chasing pack in the Aussie conference, particularly after the Waratahs win on Saturday night.
The Brumbies showed glimpses of what they can do with some nice tries against the Hurricanes before getting blown away in the second half.
If they are to break a long standing hoodoo against New Zealand sides, the Brumbies will need to get consistency back into their game as they welcome Sonny Bill Williams (sans bank logos) to Canberra.
The Brumbies have had mixed results recently against the Blues including a bad loss in Auckland last year and even back in 2012 against a Blues side that struggled badly, they only needed to secure a bonus point to make the finals but came up short.
The Blues are also on a two match losing streak, although both losses were by close margins and have had a week off since their defeat to the Hurricanes to think about this week. Despite sitting at the bottom of the New Zealand conference, the Blues actually sit above the Brumbies in overall standings and in three of their five losses and have lost by less than seven points.
The Brumbies have made three changes to th starting side for this game. One enforced change sees prop Scott Sio out with a knee injury suffered last week with former Blue, Nic Mayhew taking his spot at loosehead.
The other change in the forwards sees Lolo Fakaosilea named at number 8 ahead of Jarrad Butler that should give the forwards a bit more impact in what will probably be a physical clash.
The last change sees Tom Banks recalled to the starting side at fullback ahead of Aidan Toua, who reverts to the bench. Banks had played on the wing against his former side Queensland and the Rebels before being omitted last week.
The Blues have had to make a few changes themselves for this one on the back of a growing injury list. All Black Jerome Kaino has been ruled out with a knee injury that requires surgery which means Akira Ioane gets his chance to play at number 8. Ioane’s inclusion sees Steven Luatua back at blindside.
In the backs, George Moala is back and teams up with Sonny Bill Williams in the centres so that means Reiko Ioane move to the left wing.
MATCHUPS
Henry Speight v Reiko Ioane
Speight has been one of the better players this season for the Brumbies and has bagged a few tries himself but will have his hands full trying to stop Reiko Ioane who can run rampant as displayed against the Rebels earlier this season.
Scott Fardy v Steven Luatua
Fardy will need to step up in this match to help give the Brumbies good front foot ball if they are a chance to win. Luatua has moved to blindside to cover the injury to Jerome Kaino and with the Lions tour to New Zealand just around the corner, will be looking to put his name in the mix for selectors after regaining an All Black touring spot on the 2016 spring tour.
Prediction
This will probably be a close one with both sides desperate for a win to get their seasons back on track. If the Brumbies can keep the Blues centre pairing quiet they should get up.
Teams
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BRUMBIES
1 Nic Mayhew
2 Josh Mann-Rea
3 Allan Alaalatoa
4 Rory Arnold
5 Sam Carter (C)
6 Scott Fardy
7 Chris Alcock
8 Lolo Fakaosilea
9 Joe Powell
10 Wharenui Hawera
11 James Dargaville
12 Andrew Smith
13 Tevita Kuridrani
14 Henry Speight
15 Tom Banks
Reserves
16 Robbie Abel
17 Ben Alexander
18 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin
19 Blake Enever
20 Jarrad Butler
21 De Wet Roos
22 Jordan Jackson-Hope
23 Aidan Toua
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BLUES
1 Pauliasi Manu
2 James Parsons
3 Charlie Faumuina
4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
5 Scott Scrafton
6 Steven Luatua
7 Blake Gibson
8 Akira Ioane
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Piers Francis
11 Rieko Ioane
12 Sonny Bill Williams
13 George Moala
14 Matt Duffie
15 Michael Collins
Reserves
16 Matt Moulds
17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18 Sione Mafileo
19 Leighton Price
20 Murphy Taramai
21 Billy Guyton
22 Bryn Gatland
23 Melani Nanai
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