It has been a while since the Brumbies have hosted the Waratahs in Canberra due to the nature of the Super Rugby draw but come Saturday it will have been 757 days since they faced off in the capital.
It has also been a while since David Pocock played for the Brumbies after a delayed start to his 2018 season due to knee surgery. He will make his return to rugby in Australia by being named to start his first Brumbies game in 617 days in what will also be his 100th Super Rugby match.
It’s only round seven but this game is crucial for both sides as they try to gain ground on the conference leading Rebels who could potentially be 14 points or more ahead by kick off on Saturday and of almost out of reach for both of these sides.
The Brumbies did enough in their last game to overcome the Sharks whilst the Waratahs put in a devastating second half against the Rebels in the heat in Sydney. For this week though, it appears one side has the better forward pack whilst the other has the better backline.
Both sides are coming off a bye last week so will be well rested for this clash. For the home side, Pocock’s inclusion is the only change from their win against the Sharks two weeks ago.
There’s a stack of changes on the bench with a whole new front row combo as Robbie Abel is back from injury at hooker and named alongside Faalelei Sione and newcomer Mees Erasmus. Tom Cusack is on the bench due to Pocock’s return and in the backs, Kyle Godwin returns in place of Dargaville.
The visitors have made some changes themselves with big unit Taqele Naiyaravoro getting the starting spot on the left wing and will no doubt prove a real handful for Henry Speight and anyone else trying to tackle him. Also in the backline, Curtis Rona is named at outside centre with Lalakai Foketi dropping back to the bench whilst Jake Gordon returns at scrum half.
It will be no surprise to anyone that the Waratahs will try to use the aerial prowess of Folau on the right wing with Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale looking to kick across to his wing and attempt to isolate the Brumbies defence.
Lausii Taliauli will have his work cut out for him but he does match up in height with Folau at 193cm so it might not be as simple as kicking to Izzy but the tough work for the Brumbies will be to nullify his offloading which stands at 12 so far in 2018.
If the Brumbies can turn this into a forwards grind, it looks like they might have the edge but they will need to have worked on their execution and score early to catch the Waratahs on the hop where they have conceded 7 of 16 tries in that first 20 – mostly against the Jaguares – and could go a long way to extending their winning streak over the Waratahs to four matches.
The Waratahs have the Ferrari backline waiting in the garage and if Foley and Kurltey Beale have the keys ready early, it could be a repeat of the second half against the Rebels.
Matchups
Pocock vs Hooper
Pretty much a promoter’s dream as these two go head to head. It will be interesting to see how quickly Pocock adjusts back to the pace of Super Rugby after a stint in Japan before his knee surgery but it’s obvious he wont have much time to settle in as he comes up against Hooper.
Folau vs Folau
It is unlikely either of these guys will get a one-on-one with each other but how good will it be seeing Israel Folau and Folau Fainga’a on the field at the same time.
Prediction
This could be an old-fashioned derby match with plenty on the line with the loser having to play a fair bit of catch up on the rest of the conference. If it turns into an arm wrestle, my money is on Pocock. Brumbies by 3.
TEAMS
[one_third last=”no”]
BRUMBIES
1. Scott Sio
2. Folau Fainga’a
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Rory Arnold
5. Blake Enever
6. Lachlan McCaffrey
7. David Pocock
8. Isi Naisarani
9. Joe Powell
10. Wharenui Hawera
11. Lausii Taliauli
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Andy Muirhead
Bench:
16. Robbie Abel
17. Faalelei Sione
18. Mees Erasmus
19. Richie Arnold
20. Tom Cusack
21. Matt Lucas
22. Kyle Godwin
23. Tom Banks
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Waratahs
1. Tom Robertson
2. Damien Fitzpatrick
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Ned Hanigan
5. Rob Simmons
6. Michael Wells
7. Michael Hooper
8. Jed Holloway
9. Jake Gordon
10. Bernard Foley
11. Taqele Naiyaravoro
12. Kurtley Beale
13. Curtis Rona
14. Israel Folau
15. Bryce Hegarty
Bench:
16. Hugh Roach
17. Harry Johnson-Holmes
18. Paddy Ryan
19. Tom Staniforth
20. Will Miller
21. Mitchell Short
22. Lalakai Foketi
23. Alex Newsome[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
MATCH DEETS
Kick off: 7:45pm (AEDT)
Saturday 31 March
Ref: Paul Williams
AR1: Nic Berry
AR2: James Leckie
TMO: Damien Mitchelmore[/one_third]
