Brumbies v Waratahs, preview (Waratahs Comments)
Brumbies v Waratahs, preview
April 05, 2007 - 5:58pm
Story by: Sportal
Venue
Canberra Stadium, Canberra. Sunday April 8, 19.00 (AEST)
Head to head
Played 12: Waratahs 7, Brumbies 5
Last time
April 16, 2006 (Sydney): Waratahs 37-14 Brumbies
Walking wounded & team changes
Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher is delaying naming his side until Friday Clyde Rathbone come off early in last week's win over the Lions and is in doubt for this match. Peter Playford is his likely replacement.
The Waratahs have shuffled their backline yet again with Sam Harris promoted to the starting side at inside centre, Peter Hewat goes back to fullback and Kurtley Beale takes a spot on the bench. Lock Dean Mumm and prop Matt Dunning are back in the 22 and start from the bench, while 20-year-old Josh Holmes is set to make his Super 14 debut after being named on the bench in place of the injured Bret Sheehan.
Form
The Brumbies have seemingly turned the corner in the season and are climbing up the ladder thanks to good wins over the Sharks and Lions on a particularly difficult South African tour. They go into this match with a winning confidence and the calming influence of veteran playmaker Stephen Larkham leading them around the park.
The Waratahs should have won last week against a near full-strength Crusaders outfit. It just goes to show they can be and probably should have been a potent force in the Super 14 this year. However, they did still leak six tries so not all their problems are solved, but they will have taken plenty of confidence from last week's close encounter of the rugby kind.
Who's hot
Brumbies utility back Julian Huxley has been simply outstanding in every position he has played this season and is a certified match winner. Larkham has also been in sparkling form since returning from injury while lock Mark Chisholm, props Guy Shepherdson and Nic Henderson and No.8 Stephen Hoiles continue to shine in the pack.
Teenage winger Lachlan Turner continues his blazing start to his Super rugby career and showed up some quality campaigners last week. Sam Harris played well off the bench and earns his starting spot while Sam Norton-Knight proved more than useful at flyhalf. Up front Rocky Elsom is leading the pack along with David Lyons, who is getting back to his peak.
Teams
Brumbies (likley line-up)
1. Nic Henderson,
2. Jeremy Paul,
3. Guy Shepherdson,
4. Adam Wallace-Harrison,
5. Mark Chisholm,
6. Jone Tawake,
7. George Smith (capt),
8. Stephen Hoiles,
9. George Gregan,
10. Stephen Larkham,
11. Mark Gerrard,
12. Gene Fairbanks,
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper,
14. Clyde Rathbone,
15. Julian Huxley.
16. Saia Faingaa,
17. John Ulugia,
18. Richard Stanford,
19. Julian Salvi,
20. Patrick Phibbs,
21. Peter Playford,
22. Francis Fainifo.
Waratahs
1. Benn Robinson,
2. Adam Freier (capt),
3. Al Baxter,
4. Ben Hand,
5. Will Caldwell,
6. Rocky Elsom,
7. Tim Davidson,
8. David Lyons,
9. Josh Valentine,
10. Sam Norton-Knight,
11. Lote Tuqiri,
12. Sam Harris,
13. Morgan Turinui (vc),
14. Lachie Turner,
15. Peter Hewat.
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau,
17. Matt Dunning,
18. Dean Mumm,
19. Beau Robinson,
20. Josh Holmes,
21. Kurtley Beale,
22. Ben Jacobs,
23. Daniel Halangahu,
24. Dave Dennis.
