The 2013 Grand Final replay takes place in Canberra on Friday with the Brumbies hosting an injury depleted Chiefs side.
The Brumbies have been boosted by the return of lock Sam Carter and centre Christian Lealiifano to the starting lineup and will be looking to get one back on the Chiefs who overran them in last years decider and take out the title.
Lealiifano scored all of the Brumbies 22 points in that match and his goal kicking will be important to keep the scoreboard ticking over and keep the pressure on the visitors. Carter’s work rate around the field can’t be under estimated especially as he leads the tackle count for the Brumbies with 77 so far this season.
This time around the Brumbies don’t have the handicap of having traveled halfway around the world and are rested following the bye whilst the Chiefs are coming off a loss to the Crusaders at home and are battling injuries to 10 players plus the suspension of Michael Fitzgerald.
The match has added importance with both sides leading their respective conferences with teams breathing down their neck. The Brumbies have a slight edge in terms of recent form having won three of their last four whilst the Chiefs have won only one of their last five although they did have two high scoring draws on their South African tour.
Brumbies captain Ben Mowen has acknowledged that it will take a complete effort for 80 minutes from the matchday squad of 23 if they are to get the win. The role of the bench in last years Grand Final played a crucial part in the Chiefs win and to this day Mowen has not watched the match in full except for a few snippets of video in preparation for this game.
Here are the key matchups.
Halves
Nic White/Matt Toomua v Augustine Pulu/Gareth Anscombe – The Brumbies halves are their first choice selections and have been settled for the season. The Chiefs, on the other hand, have injuries to their first choice of Tawera Kerr-Barlow (concussion) and Aaron Cruden (broken thumb) and will be relying on backups Augustine Pulu and Gareth Anscombe. Both players can do the job in their respective positions but will need to be on their game to be ahead of White and Toomua.
Lineout
The Brumbies have the best lineout in the competition with a 94% success rate whilst the Chiefs have the worst at just 74%. Ben Mowen leads the Brumbies lineout and has more than double (41) the lineout takes of the best Chiefs receiver in Brodie Retallick with 18. The Brumbies will obviously target this area and put pressure on the visitors who have resorted to quick throws to overcome their lineout deficiencies.
Fearless Prediction
The last five games between the sides has seen the largest winning margin just eight points. This is the first time in three years that the Chiefs have played in Canberra and with the home side well rested following the bye and the Chiefs battling injuries, I’m predicting the Brumbies by 10.
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Brumbies
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Scott Fardy
5. Sam Carter
6. Jordan Smiler
7. Jarrad Butler
8. Ben Mowen (c)
9. Nic White
10. Matt Toomua
11. Robbie Coleman
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Joe Tomane
15. Jesse Mogg
Replacements
16. Siliva Siliva
17. Ruan Smith
18. JP Smith
19. Jack Whetton
20. Tom McVerry
21. Michael Dowsett
22. Andrew Smith
23. Pat McCabe
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Chiefs
1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Mahonri Schwalger
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Ross Filipo
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Nick Crosswell
7. Sam Cane
8. Liam Messam
9. Augustine Pulu
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
12. Bundee Aki
13. Andrew Horrell
14. Tim Nanai-Williams
15. Tom Marshall
Replacements
16. Nathan Harris
17. Jamie Mackintosh
18. Josh Hohneck
19. Matt Symons
20 Tevita Koloamatangi
21. Brad Weber
22. Dwayne Sweeney
23. James Lowe
[/one_half]
Kick off: 5:40pm (AEDT)
Referee: Steve Walsh
AR1: Rohan Hoffmann
AR2: Andrew Lees
TMO: George Ayoub
Stats provided by Opta Sports
