Stirlo - not a shadow of his former self.
The CA Brumbies have made two changes to their line up to take on the Blues in Auckland on Friday night. Outside centre Stirling Mortlock has succumbed to the shoulder/neck injury he sustained in victory over the Shorks last week and will be replaced by Tyrone Smith.
Two debutants take their place on the bench in outside back Andrew Smith and reserve prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa, who takes over from Guy Shepherdson.
The game is shaping up as tight contest with the Blues coming off the bye and the Brumbies travelling across the ditch on the back of a hard fought win. It could be argued that both teams have yet to fire on all cylinders this season although the Brumbies sit in fifth position and the Blues in tenth.
The Brumbies will be looking to break off the shackles and hopefully play a free flowing game that will get them them a bonus point which has eluded them in the first five rounds of play.
There has been some criticism of the star studded Brumbies backline who have been outscored in the try scoring department by the forwards so far this season. This game could be one where those critics eat their words and see the back line click into gear and this will be largely dependent on how well Matt Giteau plays.
Toeava's back
Coach Pat Lam has named a lineup that sees Isaia ‘Ice Man’ Toeava slot in at fullback after recovering from a hip injury. Lam would have also liked to see Luke McAlister return in the centres, however a clash of heads at training with a team mate has led to a fractured nose to continue his horrible run of injuries in 2010.
The Blues will be at their spiritual home of Eden Park for the first time this year and will be looking to put together some consistent play for the Auckland faithful. The team has shown it can grind out a win with two good victories over Queensland and the Highlanders respectively. However, the team needs to start stringing some wins together during a home stand that sees four of the next five games in Auckland.
The official G&GR Team List can be downloaded here. Print it out, take it to the pub and take a few copies for your mates too.
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BRUMBIES |
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BLUES |
|
Ben Alexander |
1 |
Tony Woodcock |
|
Stephen Moore |
2 |
Keven Mealamu (c) |
|
Salesi Ma’afu |
3 |
John Afoa |
|
Ben Hand |
4 |
Kurtis Haiu |
|
Mark Chisholm |
5 |
Anthony Boric |
|
Rocky Elsom |
6 |
Jerome Kaino |
|
George Smith |
7 |
Serge Lilo |
|
Stephen Hoiles (c) |
8 |
Viliami Ma’afu |
|
Josh Valentine |
9 |
Alby Mathewson |
|
Matt Giteau |
10 |
Stephen Brett |
|
Francis Fainifo |
11 |
Rudi Wulf |
|
Christian Lealiifano |
12 |
Benson Stanley |
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Tyrone Smith |
13 |
Rene Ranger |
|
Pat McCabe |
14 |
Joe Rokocko |
|
Adam Ashley-Cooper |
15 |
Isaia Toeava |
|
|
Res |
|
|
Huia Edmonds |
16 |
Tom McCartney |
|
Jerry Yanuyanutawa |
17 |
Charlie Faumuina |
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Justin Harrison |
18 |
Filo Paulo |
|
Mitchell Chapman |
19 |
Peter Saili |
|
Patrick Phibbs |
20 |
Chris Smylie |
|
Matt Toomua |
21 |
Dan Kirkpatrick |
|
Andrew Smith |
22 |
Paul Williams |
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Referee: Mark Lawrence (SA) Assistants: Garret Williamson (NZ), Matthew Stanish (NZ) TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ) |
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A Canberra born and bred Rugby tragic brought up on a diet of Canberra Kookaburra and ACT Brumbies Rugby. It was a choice between politics and Rugby, with Rugby the winner. 
good preview.
But can I add, I did the photos and captions and I’m particularly proud of them.
Thanks.
That shadow mortlock picture is frightening, you can see how much his injured neck has swelled up.
Great to see Jerry Yanuyanu and Andrew Smith on the bench. Both quality players. Hopefully Jerry will get some time replacing Ma’afu which will allow BA to go to THP. If he can match it with John Afoa he’ll go a long to proving he belongs in the starting line up.
This is it!
One of the 4 crucial matches the Brumbies just simply cannot afford to drop if they’re to be in the top 4 come business end of the season.
Simply winning at least 2 games out of the following 4 games is an absolute must for the Brumbies:
Blues (Away)
Chiefs (Home)
Canes (Home)
NSW (Away)
Win at least 2 of those or even more, ACT a definite semi finalist.
Win only 1 or even none, then they’re gone.
I hope all of you Brumbies fans + maybe the entire Aussies dont consider this game as ‘just one of those games’!
This game is one of the crucial games that will decide ACT’s fate!!!
Go Brumbies!!!
To be honest mate, I think we can lock down the Chiefs game simply because its at home. I don’t think we can win in Christchurch or Sydney (because of our record there) but Hurricanes game should be ok, although they have beaten us the last three times in super rugby, including last years 56-7 drubbing in Wellington…
I know.
Well, the Brumbies just went down 34-39 to those darn ‘Bluesers’….
The only consolation is the bonus point they got for losing within 7 and the rest is the last thing I wanted from this game….
And yes, I agree that the Waratahs game will be difficult coz ACT haven’t won in Sydney except just once in Super rugby history.
Given that fact, Chiefs and Canes are must win games for the Brumbies.
Of course, both Chiefs and Canes games are in Canberra, but they’re always dangers and now I’m worried about next week simply coz the Chiefs are up!
Whichever 10 clicks first.
Both Brett and Gits have been good in patches this season.
Whichever is on song, will lead their side to victory.
My money is on Gits, but I’d like to see Brett realise his massive potential finally.
I am a huge Brumbie fan. So i hope it is not Brett.
However i think that when he is on song Brett is the best 10 in the comp. the only problem is he only producers that type of game for about 30 mins each time he plays. Then decides to swap teams and help them out with poor kicking and passing.
Stirlo out means one less captain in the side. I am not unhappy with that.
Plus the last time Stirlo had a good provincial game was Round One last year against the Highlanders. Apart from kicking that conversation after the bell against Crusaders in round 2 2009, he’s done nothing in attack. Still he’s been a great Brumbies servant, but his time has past.
Some great matchups here. Alexander v Woodcock, Elsom v Kaino, Ma’afu v Afoa, Chisholm v Boric, Tyrone Smith v Rene Ranger, Giteau v Brett and Fainifo v Rokocoko.
The weather is not looking good in Auckland, but it probably won’t play into either team’s hands.
My heart says Brumbies, but my head says they will find this game very difficult to win, let alone by a commanding score.
Brums will hoefully realise their potential this game. They arguably played better in safrica than at home, maybe they take less for granted. I expect a big game from Tyrone, given a rare chance, this guy was a fringe wallaby last season so I’d assume he’ll do his utmost.