The Brumbies v Sharks game throws up many scenarios that it would be worth the price of admission alone. Not only is it first versus second on the ladder but the small matter of Jake White returning to Canberra is also creating a bit of a talking point – although not as big as some in the Republic are reporting.
The Brumbies will be out to make amends against their former mentors team after last weeks poor showing against the Crusaders when they were dished up 40-20 with the breakdown and discipline the keys to their undoing and will need to be flawless if they are to continue their four game home winning streak.
They key to beating the Sharks in this game is the coaching duo of Steve Larkham and Laurie Fisher coming up with a game plan that will surprise the Sharks and White after his intimate knowledge of the Brumbies setup over the previous two years.
The Brumbies go into this game with just one change to the starting lineup. Fotu Auelua comes in after a long layoff from injury with a club game under his belt last week. He will be a welcome addition and add some physicality at the breakdown that will be heavily contested.
The Sharks were the first South African team to win outside the Republic when they beat the Rebels last week although that result could have been different. Before they left Durban, the Sharks got towelled up by the Highlanders who scored four tries and failed to cross the tryline themselves.
The visitors lie third in the try scoring charts of all the South African sides yet sit on top of the South African conference by a healthy margin over the Bulls which shows they know how to win without being flashy.
Here are the key matchups.
Front Row
The starting front rowers from both sides have experience at national level for their countries and whoever gets on top in this area will go a long way to securing the victory. The Beast and the du Plessis brothers will use their combined experience boasting nearly 300 Super Rugby games and 160 Tests do their utmost to destabilise the Brumbies trio of Scott Sio, Stephen Moore and Ben Alexander, who have over 200 Super Rugby games and 150 Tests experience.
The battle between Moore and Bismarck du Plessis will also be one to keep a close eye on with Moore’s lineout work this year at 91% success helping the Brumbies get to where they are on the ladder.
Fly Half
Matt Toomua has been one of the most consistent performers in the Brumbies backline and will need front foot ball to get on top of the Sharks. Toomua re-signed with the Brumbies and Wallabies this week so hopefully the weight is off his shoulders and he can put in another top performance.
He comes up against Frans Steyn who has taken over at 10 due to injuries to Pat Lambie and Fred Zeilinga. Not known for running the backline so he relies on a huge boot to get his side out of trouble and give them field position despite a some handy speed in the back three.
Steyn can easily kick penalty goals from 50 metres if given the chance so the Brumbies will need to cut out the discipline issues from the Crusaders game. If they can keep Steyn to drop goal attempts then they should be ok – he is 0/8 so far this season.
Fearless Prediction
The Brumbies have not lost two matches in a row in 2014 and this is one match they will have targeted when the draw was released. A tough week at training to get some of the physicality back will have the Brumbies itching to net the Sharks. Brumbies by 6.
[one_half last=”no”]
Brumbies
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Scott Fardy
5. Sam Carter
6. Fotu Auelua
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. Josh Mann-Rea
17. Ruan Smith
18. Ruaidhri Murphy
19. Jordan Smiler
20. Tom McVerry
21. Conrad Hoffmann
22. Andrew Smith
23. Pat McCabe
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Sharks
1. Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Willem Alberts
5. Stephan Lewies
6. Keegan Daniel
7. Jean Deysel
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Cobus Reinach
10. Frans Steyn
11. JP Pietersen
12. Paul Jordaan
13. S’bura Sithole
14. Odwa Ndungane
15. Lwazi Mvovo
Replacements
16. Kyle Cooper
17. Dale Chadwick
18. Lourens Adriaanse
19. Etienne Oosthuizen
20. Tera Mtembu
21. Charl McLeod
22. Heimar Williams
23. SP Marais
[/one_half]
Kick off: 7:40pm (AEDT)
Referee: Glen Jackson
AR1: Andrew Lees
AR2: James Leckie
TMO: George Ayoub
Stats provided by Opta Sports
