Brumbies v Western Force, preview

[Burgs]

Brumbies v Western Force, preview

April 19, 2007 - 2:28am
Story by: Sportal

Venue & time

Canberra Stadium, Canberra. Friday April 20, 19.40 (AEST).

Head to head

Played 1: Brumbies 1, Western Force 0

Last time

February 10, 2006. (Perth). Brumbies 25-10 Force

Walking wounded and team changes

Clyde Rathbone is the only change to Brumbies starting line-up for this Friday night's Week 12 clash. The Wallabies winger has recovered from a corked thigh and takes the palace of Peter Playford, who moves back to the bench.

The Force have made a number of changes. Scrumhalf Matt Henjak (knee) and flanker David Pocock (thigh) are back from injury and in the starting XV. Henjak takes over from Chris O'Young, who has been passed fit to start from the bench despite leaving the field in the 7th minute of last week loss to the Chiefs with concussion. Pocock replaces Matt Hodgson at No. 7. In other changes, David Pusey comes back into the run-on side at blindside flanker pushing Richard Brown back to the bench. Prop Troy Takiari starts ahead of AJ Whalley, while team vice-captain Scott Staniforth makes his long-awaited return to the starting side, in place of Digby Ioane on the wing.

Form

The Brumbies have clicked up a couple of gears in the last month and are playing dominant rugby. An in-form and fit Stephen Larkham has the led the side to three strong wins from their last three starts against the Sharks, Lions and Waratahs. They are also coming off the bye last week so will be refreshed and ready to play.

The Force have taken a bit of a battering in the last fortnight. The Crusaders hammered them 53-0 while the Chiefs handed them a 64-36 loss. Before these two games, the Force had the best defence in the competition, so there is no doubting they are a better side than these scores suggest. The Western Australians just need to rediscover their discipline. The inside knowledge of ex-Brumbies players Matt Giteau and Henjak could be important in the context of the match.

Who's hot

Everyone has been talking about the form of 'Bernie' Larkham. The veteran playmaker has returned from a mid-season shoulder injury to display some of the best form of career. Fullback Julian Huxley has also been outstanding where ever he is selected in the backline. Big flanker Jone Tawake has been in rampaging form, while lock Mark Chisholm has also been impressive, especially in the lineout.

Matt Giteau was a standout in a losing team last weekend, while Junior Pelesasa also showed his attacking prowess with a number of line-breaks. Nathan Sharpe, as always, led from the front.

Teams

Brumbies:

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. Salesi Ma'afu,
18. Peter Kimlin,
19. Julian Salvi,
20. Patrick Phibbs,
21. Peter Playford,
22. Francis Fainifo.

Western Force:

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. David Pusey
7. David Pocock
8. Scott Fava

9. Matt Henjak
10. Matt Giteau
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. Junior Pelesasa
13. Ryan Cross
14. Scott Staniforth
15. Drew Mitchell.

16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Whalley
18. Luke Doherty
19. Richard Brown
20. Chris O'Young
21. James Hilgendorf
22. Digby Ioane.

[Shaun]

GO YOU FORCE!!!!

They have the ability to win, let's just hope they do.