The Brumbies and Sharks face off in Canberra on Saturday night with both sides looking to open their account after close losses last week.
The hosts have only seven home games in 2017 so this presents a good chance to get their home campaign off to a winning start against what will no doubt be a physical Sharks side.
Last week, the Brumbies put aside any prospect of a poor 2017 by going close to pulling off a win over the Crusaders on the back of an impressive defensive effort whilst the Sharks went down to the Reds in Brisbane in another close game.
The Brumbies know the challenges the Sharks present, with Springbok fly half Patrick Lambie able to punish any infringements with his goal kicking so the Brumbies will have to be smart and not give him easy chances in conditions, which will be wet.
Hopefully the game does not reach the low standards of the last time these two met in Canberra when the game resembled an AFL contest with the number of kicks in the 80’s. If the Brumbies are to get the win they will have to be smarter with their kicking after they gave the Crusaders too many opportunities to attack.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has kept faith in the 23 from the Crusaders game and retained them for this clash. The Sharks have had to make a few changes from the Reds match with former Brumby Etienne Oosthuizen rubbed out due to suspension with Stephan Lewies taking his place. The other change sees Frenchmen Clement Poitrenaud trade places with Curwin Bosch at fullback.
Matchups
Allan Alaalatoa v Tendai Mtawarira
Alaalatoa has made big strides and earned his first Wallaby cap in 2016 but tonight he’ll be up against the player affectionately known as ‘The Beast’ who has well over 120 Super Rugby caps and 80 Tests under his belt and will no doubt be aiming to put that experience to good use.
Wharenui Hawera v Patrick Lambie
How the game pans out will rest on the shoulders of these respective players. Hawera is only new to Super Rugby but had a mixed debut and is up against Lambie who will be looking to put on display to get him back in the Springboks mix after an injury hit 2016.
Henry Speight v Lwazi Mvovo
Hopefully these players can get involved in the game with conditions to suit the forwards, as their pace is worth watching when in open space. Mvovo clocked up his 100th Super Rugby game last week and is an experienced player for the visitors.
Henry Speight will be looking to recapture the form that made him one of the best finishers in the Brumbies squad and put himself in line for a permanent Wallabies recall.
Prediction
This game will probably a real forwards slog but I think the Brumbies showed they are up for a defensive battle after last weeks game against the Crusaders. If they can adjust their kicking game to keep it away from the Sharks back three, then they should be able to come out on top in a close one. Brumbies by 3.
TEAMS
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BRUMBIES
1. Nic Mayhew
2. Josh Mann-Rea
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Rory Arnold
5. Sam Carter
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”]
Sharks
1 Tendai Mtawarira
2 Franco Marais
3 Coenie Oosthuizen
4 Stephan Lewies
5 Ruan Botha
6 Philip van der Walt
7 Jean- Luc du Preez
8 Tera Mtembu
9 Cobus Reinach
10 Patrick Lambie
11 Lwazi Mvovo
12 Andre Esterhuizen
13 Lukhanyo Am
14 Kobus van Wyk
15 Clement Poitrenaud
Reserves:
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle
17 Thomas du Toit
18 Lourens Adriaanse
19 Jean Droste
20 Jacques Vermeulen
21 Michael Claassens
22 Jeremy Ward
23 Curwin Bosch
[/one_half]
