The Brumbies continue their lap of the Southern Hemisphere this week when they take on the well rested Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Sunday morning in the first ever matchup between the two sides. The match is also a milestone for Ben Alexander as he joins George Smith as the most capped Brumbies player on 142.
Even though it is an unfamiliar venue for the Brumbies, they have had a helping hand with the injured Tomas Cubelli acting as a tour guide in his home town to help the side get accustomed to the culture and local lingo.
The Brumbies snapped their four match losing streak with a tough win last week against the Kings in Port Elizabeth and have named an unchanged matchday 23 for the first time this season. They have moved away from the rotation policy they had been using throughout the season.
They know they can’t get too excited about victory over the Kings but it is a step in the right direction with only four games after this one remaining in the season with the conference winner still not certain.
The Brumbies dominated territory and possession last week and they will need to pick it up a few notches and execute far better if they are to keep the Jaguares at bay in what looks to be a match made for forwards.
The Jaguares have had the week off as they overcame a loss to the Force two weeks ago. Coach Raul Perez has made a heap of changes from that match with seven in total that includes some big names including Nicolás Sánchez at 10 and the return of Tomás Lavanini from a long term knee injury.
There’s a fairly handy forward pack for the Jags including Agustín Creevy, Juan Leguizamón and Leonardo Senatore and the backs lead by Sanchez will be looking to exploit the Brumbies defence out wide although it may not be easy with the Brumbies looking more settled with Tom Banks at fullback and Aidan Toua on the left wing.
Matchups
Backrows
The Brumbies combination of Scott Fardy, Chris Alcock and Jordan Smiler will need to have one of their best games if they are to keep the Jaguares trio of Tomás Lezana, Juan Leguizamón and Leonardo Senatore quiet. Alcock has been one of the Brumbies best in 2017 and his crucial turnover off a quick lineout last week went a long way to turning the tide for the Brumbies.
Prediction
It is hard to get a decent read on this match as both teams recent form has been patchy.
The inclusion of some big names for the locals after a week off and a decent looking bench will make it hard for the Brumbies but if they follow the lead of the Force from a few weeks ago, they should get home in a close one.
Teams
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BRUMBIES
1 Ben Alexander
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 Aidan Toua
12 Kyle Godwin
13 Tevita Kuridrani
14 Henry Speight
15 Tom Banks
Reserves
16 Robbie Abel
17 Nic Mayhew
18 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin
19 Blake Enever
20 Jarrad Butler
21 De Wet Roos
22 Andrew Smith
23 Andrew Muirhead
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JAGUARES
1 Lucas Noguera Paz
2 Agustín Creevy
3 Ramiro Herrera
4 Matías Alemanno
5 Tomás Lavanini
6 Tomás Lezana
7 Juan Leguizamón
8 Leonardo Senatore
9 Martín Landajo
10 Nicolás Sánchez
11 Bautista Ezcurra
12 Jerónimo de la Fuente
13 Matías Orlando
14 Ramiro Moyano
15 Joaquín Tuculet
Reserves
16 Julián Montoya
17 Santiago García Botta
18 Enrique Pieretto
19 Guido Petti
20 Javier Ortega Desio
21 Gonzalo Bertranou
22 Juan Martín Hernández
23 Matías Moroni
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