It’s been billed as a huge battle, could be somewhat intense and a matchup that has been highly anticipated – and that’s just off the field. But enough about that.
This week sees first and third on the ladder face off and although early in the season, the winner could set their season up.
The Brumbies haven’t had the ideal preparation after getting back home late on Monday after travelling back from South Africa so will be interesting to see how that affects them.
They did just enough last week to keep the Cheetahs at bay but will need to tighten a few things up like discipline if they are to come away with another win. The Brumbies are the most penalised team in the competition and won’t want to give the Chiefs too many easy points.
The Brumbies will be looking to wipe the smile off McKenzie’s face
This weeks opponent are the Chiefs and they have been on fire this season already and have lots of strike power across their backline that will keep the Brumbies very busy.
The men from the Waikato have crossed the line 28 times already this year and have the competitions two leading try scorers in Damian McKenzie and Charlie Ngatai proving a handful, especially Ngatai who bagged four against the Force last week. The Chiefs pose a threat from counter attack so the Brumbies will have to be smart about their kicking to avoid being torn the shreds with long distance tries – just ask the Force.
Key Matchups
David Pocock v. Sam Cane – David Pocock looks back to his best after doing what he does best at the breakdown and last week was no different with four turnovers. This week he’s up against Sam Cane who looks the heir apparent to Sir Richie’s Seven black jersey and will be up for another big tackling effort.
Matt Toomua v. Charlie Ngatai – Charlie Ngatai has had an outstanding start to the season and has been touted as a replacement in the All Blacks for Ma’a Nonu. Ngatai has taken his chance with Sonny-Bill Williams off with New Zealand 7’s squad and will need a big defensive effort from Matt Toomua to shut him down.
Predictions
The Brumbies home record has been very good against the Cheifs with 9 wins over the years with the last two games being decided by just two points and this will probably be anothe close one with the Brumbies by 3.
TEAMS
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BRUMBIES
1 Scott Sio
2 Stephen Moore
3 Ben Alexander
4 Rory Arnold
5 Sam Carter
6 Scott Fardy
7 David Pocock
8 Ita Vaea
9 Tomas Cubelli
10 Christian Lealiifano
11 Robbie Coleman
12 Matt Toomua
13 Tevita Kuridrani
14 Joe Tomane
15 Aidan Toua
RESERVES:
16 Josh Mann-Rea
17 Allan Alaalatoa
18 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin
19 Tom Staniforth
20 Jordan Smiler
21 Joe Powell
22 James Dargaville
23 Nigel Ah-Wong
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CHIEFS
1. Mitchell Graham
2. Hika Elliot
3. Siate Tokolahi
4. Michael Allardice
5. Taleni Seu
6. Tom Sanders
7. Sam Cane
8. Michael Leitch
9. Brad Weber
10. Aaron Cruden
11. James Lowe
12. Charlie Ngatai
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Toni Pulu
15. Damian McKenzie
RESERVES:
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Atu Moli
18. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi
19. James Tucker
20. Maama Vaipulu
21. Kayne Hammington
22. Seta Tamanivalu
23. Shaun Stevenson
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