Brumbies our to deny ruck-barnacle Hodgson

[andrewg]

Hodgo the ruck-barnacle........Good for Mowen to give Hodgo some recognition!!

Thursday, July 10, 2014
Source: AAP
Author: By David Barbeler

Operation deny Matt Hodgson.

No Super Rugby player has pilfered as much or forced more turnovers this season than the immovable Western Force flanker and captain.
Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen knows it. And his team has specifically planned for it ahead of Friday's quasi-final at Canberra Stadium.
"Hodgson is obviously leading the competition with pilfers, so we've got to make sure we're denying contests there and not letting him in - because once he's in, he's good enough to turn it over," Mowen says.
"If we're good in that area, we'll come away with a good result."
Fortunately for the Brumbies they won't have to also budge burly blindside flanker Hugh McMeniman, who copped a one-week suspension for kneeing in last week's win over the Queensland Reds.
He'll be replaced by Brynard Stander.
"Losing players always hurts, but I suppose the Brumbies would feel the same way about Stephen Moore," said Force coach Michael Foley.
However the Brumbies will welcome back numerous Test players, including workhorse Sam Carter.
The once-underrated lock features in the top two for most tackles and rucks hit in almost every game he plays.
Mowen admits there's probably no team more important for Carter to return against than the breakdown-dominant Force.
"He's gone from a big performer for us to a man-of-the-match Wallaby," Mowen said.
Also returning for the Brumbies will be Test star Matt Toomua at five-eighth, while fit-again third string hooker Josh Mann-Rea will steady the set-piece.
The winner of the match is guaranteed a spot in the Super Rugby finals, while the loser will need to pick up a losing bonus point to have a chance of remaining in the competition.
That's easier said than done for the Brumbies, who haven't won a last round match since 2007 - their chokes against the Force last year and the Blues the year before costing them dearly.
The Force have listed Nick Cummins to play in what could possibly be his last Super Rugby match before jetting off to Japan, while former reserve Brumbies halves Zack Holmes and Ian Prior will be out to prove a point against their old teammates.
The game will also be Ben Mowen's 49th as Brumbies captain - equalling the club record of legend George Gregan.

http://news.nom.co/brumbies-out-to-d...10569896-news/

[GIGS20]

Good call Mowen, send all your forwards to shut down Hodgson. It's not like we have anybody else in the back row to cover for him......Pek and KBomb aren't too bad at the breakdown as well.

My money's on the Rhino to totally go off in an attempt to prove that he deserves to start more often, broken and battered Brumbies everywhere. If our halves can keep it together and not be overawed by the occasion I think we might have this.

At the end of the day a bonus point or two should be enough, but a 4 try win will set us up to barbeque the horses in our first home final.

[valzc]

Keeping the kicking to a minimum with ball in hand would be ideal - the Force seem to keep momentum going better when they don't kick as much. Ric Charlesworth's mantra was keep possession of the ball & when you lose it, focus on getting it back ASAP Seems like a pretty good idea to me

[GIGS20]

The OUR FOOTBALL speech comes to mind.

[jargan83]

but a 4 try win will set us up to barbeque the horses in our first home final.

More likely opponent will be the Highlanders or the Chiefs should they beat the Blues

[MI5_Dog]

Cheese has been acting like a back rower a lot as well.
Quite often see him head down bum up after a tackle

[SNOB]

But remember he is our "Ruck-barnacle" and we are proud of him.

[UNCLE BOOG]

Cheese has been acting like a back rower a lot as well.
Quite often see him head down bum up after a tackle

and busting tackles and making breaks! goddaloveCheesey!

[Kept One]

If they concentrate on Hodgo that will leave room for the others to step in and pilfer.

[hertryk]

45 mins! This is so crazy! I need to leave I really do! SHOOOOoOt!

[G_Beard]

Good call Mowen, send all your forwards to shut down Hodgson. It's not like we have anybody else in the back row to cover for him......Pek and KBomb aren't too bad at the breakdown as well.

My money's on the Rhino to totally go off in an attempt to prove that he deserves to start more often, broken and battered Brumbies everywhere. If our halves can keep it together and not be overawed by the occasion I think we might have this.

At the end of the day a bonus point or two should be enough, but a 4 try win will set us up to barbeque the horses in our first home final.

Chris Alcock is on the bench, back from shoulder surgery. Jeez....Hodgo, Alcock and Brynard.
It's almost worth replacing a backline player to these 3 on the field at once.

[hertryk]

Keeping the kicking to a minimum with ball in hand would be ideal - the Force seem to keep momentum going better when they don't kick as much. Ric Charlesworth's mantra was keep possession of the ball & when you lose it, focus on getting it back ASAP Seems like a pretty good idea to me

Pass that onto Foles! Great idea!