The Brumbies kick off their 2017 campaign with a trip across the Tasman to take on the Crusaders in Christchurch. It’s a daunting start to the season for the new look Brumbies as they take on a team they have not beaten since 2009 and the last time they tasted success in the Garden City was way back in 2000.
The Brumbies will go into this clash with seven new faces in the match day 23, with four of those on the bench, and includes a new look 9-10-12 axis of Joe Powell, Wharenui Hawera and Kyle Godwin in the backline following the long term injury to Tomas Cubelli and Christian Lealiifano’s unavailability. Although unable to play, Lealiifano has given the team a bit of a spark by surprising the squad at the airport and travelling with team.
Losing the likes of Stephen Moore, David Pocock, Matt Toomua and Joe Tomane was always going to be difficult but there are a number of young players who are keen to get stuck in and put the poor record behind them.
It will be a tough ask though as they come up against the Crusaders but they also have a new look about them with Scott Robertson now in charge, although he does have experience after coaching Canterbury to three titles in his four year reign at that level in addition to an Under 20’s title with New Zealand.
They will also have a number of new faces with six in their side as they start the season without the injured Keiran Read but still boast a wealth of experience, including Sam Whitelock, Matt Todd and Owen Franks in the starting pack.
This match also marks Israel Dagg’s 100th Super Rugby game so there will be added motivation for the Red and Black to start their season off with a win.
New recruit Seta Tamanivalu is a key addition to the Crusaders backline and could cause the Brumbies some problems if he is given the opportunity so it will be interesting to see what Brumbis defence coach, Peter Ryan, has come up with to keep him in check.
The Crusaders have been notoriously slow starters to the season but as we know the season is a marathon, not a sprint, when you consider the Brumbies started off 2016 by toweling up the eventual champion Hurricanes. 2017 sees the British and Irish Lions tour New Zealand so the Crusaders can’t afford to get off to a slow start with a number of their players expected to be involved in that series.
Matchups
Battle of the Sams
Carter v Whitelock – The clash of the second rowers who are key lineout operators and also captains of their respective teams will be one to watch. Both are new to the role so it will be interesting to see how they assert themselves in getting their message across.
Tevita Kuridrani v Jack Goodhue
Kuridrani is coming off a good Spring Tour where he scored some crucial tries for the Wallabies. He is now one of the most experienced players in the backline so will need to show more of the form from the Spring Tour if the Brumbies are to be in a with a chance.
He comes up against a player with big things expected of him despite not having a Super Rugby cap to his name due to missing most of 2016 due to injury. Goodhue has been involved with the Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup side so knows the Crusaders gameplan inside out and will team up with Ryan Crotty in the midfield.
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. Jordan Smiler
9. Joe Powell
10. Wharenui Hawera
11. James Dargaville
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Aidan Toua
RESERVES:
16. Robbie Abel
17. Ben Alexander
18. Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin
19. Tom Staniforth
20. Lolo Fakaosilea
21. De Wet Roos
22. Andrew Smith
23. Isaac Thompson
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
CRUSADERS
1. Joe Moody
2. Ben Funnell
3. Owen Franks
4. Scott Barrett
5. Sam Whitelock (c)
6. Jordan Taufua
7. Matt Todd
8. Whetu Douglas
9. Bryn Hall
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. George Bridge
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Seta Tamanivalu
15. Israel Dagg
RESERVES:
16. Codie Taylor
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Michael Alaalatoa
19. Luke Romano
20. Pete Samu
21. Ereatari Enari
22. Mitchell Hunt
23. David Havili
[/one_half]
PREDICTION
As much as I’d like to see the Brumbies pull off an upset over a New Zealand side to start off the season, the inexperience in the key area of the halves will see their poor record against the Crusaders will continue.
