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Canberra Stadium
The Brumbies could open up a seven-point conference advantage over their Australian rivals if things go perfectly for them and elsewhere this weekend.
By the time they kick-off in Canberra, the surprise package of the tournament will have seen whether Western Force have got the number on the Waratahs while the Reds sit out on a desperately-needed bye week, something they hope will help repair the damage of the dismal defence of their title so far.
Granted the Queenslanders overcame the Brumbies 20-13 last weekend but with the absence of Quade Cooper and struggling form of Will Genia, the holders need to improve dramatically if they are to make the play-offs as top dogs in Australia. Their struggle means there is real hope for Jake White's side.
This week they meet the Rebels in what is a must-win in order to recover from that aforementioned defeat. One strong performer last week, Peter Kimlin, is dropped from the XV as Fotu Auelua and Michael Hooper join captain and now blinside flanker Ben Mowen in the back-row. The return of Scott Fardy is good for the side while they will hope that Jesse Mogg can continue his impressive recent form. Andrew Smith is dropped for Tevita Kuridrani at centre.
What has been interesting is White's lack of favourtism towards the so-called big names as this week Ben Alexander is given a week riding the pine. He has not been the only international to have to spend time on the bench as Stephen Moore has regularly been replaced for Anthony Hegarty. Great to see from the South African as it has instilled a sense of hunger for the jersey, something which has seen players like Sam Carter and Joe Tomane flourish.
Their opponents on Saturday are a side very much struggling to find top gear. While they have the star names they have yet to click and find themselves in twelfth position in the overall table after losing their three opening games before beating the Force, losing to the Highlanders and edging the Blues.
However that most recent positive result means they come into this one full of confidence and also consistency as an unchanged back-line is given the green light to cause the Brumbies problems. Let's face it, a fully firing Danny Cipriani, James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale can do damage to any defence.
The teams:
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Fotu Auelua, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Ben Mowen (capt), 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ruaidri Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 Ita Vaea, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Andrew Smith.
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Mark Gerrard, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve (c), 7 Jarrod Saffy, 6 Luke Jones, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Al Campbell, 3 Rodney Blake, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Eddie Aholelei, 18 Michael Lipman, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Julian Huxley, 22 Lloyd Johansson.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7669118,00.html
Odds
Brumbies $1.45
Rebels $2.70
The Brumbies could open up a seven-point conference advantage over their Australian rivals if things go perfectly for them and elsewhere this weekend.
By the time they kick-off in Canberra, the surprise package of the tournament will have seen whether Western Force have got the number on the Waratahs while the Reds sit out on a desperately-needed bye week, something they hope will help repair the damage of the dismal defence of their title so far.
Granted the Queenslanders overcame the Brumbies 20-13 last weekend but with the absence of Quade Cooper and struggling form of Will Genia, the holders need to improve dramatically if they are to make the play-offs as top dogs in Australia. Their struggle means there is real hope for Jake White's side.
This week they meet the Rebels in what is a must-win in order to recover from that aforementioned defeat. One strong performer last week, Peter Kimlin, is dropped from the XV as Fotu Auelua and Michael Hooper join captain and now blinside flanker Ben Mowen in the back-row. The return of Scott Fardy is good for the side while they will hope that Jesse Mogg can continue his impressive recent form. Andrew Smith is dropped for Tevita Kuridrani at centre.
What has been interesting is White's lack of favourtism towards the so-called big names as this week Ben Alexander is given a week riding the pine. He has not been the only international to have to spend time on the bench as Stephen Moore has regularly been replaced for Anthony Hegarty. Great to see from the South African as it has instilled a sense of hunger for the jersey, something which has seen players like Sam Carter and Joe Tomane flourish.
Their opponents on Saturday are a side very much struggling to find top gear. While they have the star names they have yet to click and find themselves in twelfth position in the overall table after losing their three opening games before beating the Force, losing to the Highlanders and edging the Blues.
However that most recent positive result means they come into this one full of confidence and also consistency as an unchanged back-line is given the green light to cause the Brumbies problems. Let's face it, a fully firing Danny Cipriani, James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale can do damage to any defence.
The teams:
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Fotu Auelua, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Ben Mowen (capt), 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ruaidri Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 Ita Vaea, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Andrew Smith.
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Mark Gerrard, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve (c), 7 Jarrod Saffy, 6 Luke Jones, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Al Campbell, 3 Rodney Blake, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Eddie Aholelei, 18 Michael Lipman, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Julian Huxley, 22 Lloyd Johansson.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7669118,00.html
Odds
Brumbies $1.45
Rebels $2.70