Force v. Brumbies: SR Wk 16

Now that the inbound test season is over for now, it's time for SupeRugby to be on show again.

This game over in Perth is very crucial for many reasons.

Number 1, is Nathan Sharpe's final home game for the Force. A true gentleman of the game and looks like he could keep playing for a few more years, but sadly this won't be the case.

The Brumbies will need a win to keep their chances of an automatic finals spot alive with the Reds breathing down their neck.

They've copped 2 injuries over the break with Joe Tomane injuring his ankle whilst training with the Wallabies and Fotu Auelua injured his hamstring in club rugby last week and is unlikely to play.

So expect Jesse Mogg to move to the wing and Robbie Coleman will play at fullback. If Auelua doesn't play I'd expect Peter Kimlin to play 6 and Ben Mowen at 8.

The other interesting point of this match is David Pocock and his future, which could lie with the Brumbies. He's apparently been chatting to the Brumbies players during the Test series about the setup here and I doubt Jake White is going to Perth and not talking to him.

I think this one is a must win for the Brumbies. Depending on results this round the only route into the finals for an Aus team might be by winning the conference and they don't want to give the Reds even a sniff of that. If the Reds smell blood in the water the Brumbies could be left with nothing after what has been a very impressive season.

I hope Sharpe gets a good send off for his final home game. He gets a lot of stick from some people but more often than not when I've watched him he's been a standout player both in Super Rugby and for the Wallabies.

I hope there's truth tithe Crime's speculation that Mogg will remain at fullback and one of the wingers will be promoted...

Mogg will be on the wing.

Although the team won't be officially announced until later this afternoon. They looked very sharp at training this morning, including those who have been away with the Wallabies.

I think this will be close to full house for Sharpie's send off. Hope the boys can come through in style for him because if anyone deserves a winning farewell its Sharpie.

The Force need to put in a good performance to show Poey his best option for the future is with the Force.

They’re Back.
By Lisa Crago.

This Tuesday’s training run at Brumbies headquarters saw the return of several victorious Wallabies to an otherwise rested squad. The return from the Wallabies Camp of Ben Alexandra, Stephen Moore, Pat McCabe, Michael Hooper, Nic White, Ben Mowen, Dan Palmer and Joe Tomare plus Jerry Yanuyanutwa’s return from the Fijian team provided an injection of skilled confidence into the squad.

Utility Back Andrew Smith said “It’s great having all the Wallabies back after their clean sweep. It has bought a bit of confidence back to the group [and] The rest of us have had a bit of time to freshen up.” When asked about the significance of winning the remaining thee away matches and making the finals Smith declared it would be “massive”. This Saturday Brumbies play the Force followed by the Waratahs and Auckland Blues. Thursday the Brumbies travel to Perth for a heavy date with Western Force. The Force will be mighty this week as they also see the return of Wallabies. Many rugby fans attention will be on Nathern Sharpe who will play his final Super Rugby match on home ground. Emotions will be high as this modern day rugby legends is farewelled by his fans. This sets up a good homeground advantage for the Force and with the Brumbies current form, they are going to need it.

In training drills the forwards coach Laurie Fisher seems keenly focused on the breakdown contest. This may be the deciding factor in this week’s match setting up a clash of openside flankers, in more ways that one. The younger Michael Hooper at 182cm and 97kgs against the 79th Wallaby Captain David Pocock at 181cm and 101kg. They may look matched on paper but to date they appear more as the master and the apprentice. David Pocock is a foundation member of the Western Force and twice nominated as IRB Player of the Year. He is arguably the best fetcher in test rugby. Hooper by contrast is the new kid on the block who in 2011 was awarded Under 20s Player of the Year. 2012’s impressive Super Rugby performance gave Hooper the opportunity to wear the jersey of Wallaby number 857. Add to this the fact that Pocock and Hooper have spent the last month in close quarters playing and training together.

Off the field the discussion of Pococks possible move to the Brumbies may add another level of intensity to this already fierce battle. The requirement to impress selectors can not be ignored at this time of the year. Everything could be on the line for Hooper.

As these talented young players get match hardened the depth in Australian rugby increases. So too does the competition for selection. This is a good problem for clubs like the Brumbies to have. Stephen Larkim coaching this new generation of Brumbies backs seems to be paying off with interest. The winger Henry Speight is evidence of this and someone to watch out for. Head coach Jake White has presented a very talented group of confident players providing the best chance of finals success in eight years. There is a feeling of reserved excitement about the club. At Super Rugby level Andrew Smith has never made a final. When asked how he felt about the possibility of getting there he said “It will be great for the community and all the players who have worked very hard. It will be sensational.” That it will.

The ACT Brumbies play the Western Force Saturday 30th June 7:40pm AEST.

Official Brumbies side

1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Dan Palmer
4. Scott Fardy
5. Sam Carter
6. Peter Kimlin
7. Michael Hooper
8. Ben Mowen (c)
9. Nic White
10. Zack Holmes
11. Jesse Mogg
12. Pat McCabe
13. Andrew Smith
14. Henry Speight
15. Robbie Coleman

16. Anthony Hegarty
17. Ruaidhri Murphy
18. Leon Power
19. Ita Vaea
20. Ian Prior
21. Tevita Kuridrani
22. Cam Crawford

Just saw this on Twitter - Looks like Salesi Ma'afu out with a broken arm it seems..

http://twitter.com/SalesiMaafu/status/218249256954376192

I look at this lineup and applaud them for being where they are on the ladder. On paper they really do look like Australia's third best, when in fact they've been easily the best all season. Well done to them.

Who will replace Ma'afu at 3?

Perhaps Salesi Manu?

Makes it easier to adjust the team sheet.

Salesi Manu

So will this hurt the Force scrum?

Manu has been playing better anyway. Ma'afu is a penalty magnet in the loose. Considering our ladder position I would be glad to develop Manu for the rest of the year.

Can't make the game, but hope the boys do it for Sharpie.

Yes. Manu hasn't started a game before. Ben Alexander isn't that crash hot in the scrums but there is bound to be more pressure on because of it. I think we probably would have been under the pump regardless of whether Ma'afu was fit.

The upside is that Manu is pretty handy around the field.

This discussion has been far to civilized for a Force v Brumbie encounter.

I think the Force are going to take this one and hand the ponies a lesson. It will be traced back in the annuls of history as the game where the brumbies dropped the ball and allowed the Reds to leapfrog them into the finals. Sharpie in great form following the Test series and with the emotions surrounding his last home game and a big hostile crowd of parochial Sandgropers, NIB will be turned into a cauldron of rugby pain..RUGBY PAIN I say again!

Meanwhile..
Michael Cheika..desperate to keep a low profile in Perth but keen to observe his future chargers, will cheer the Force on from his perch safely ensconced atop one of the powerful NIB light towers, the blinding glare protecting him from the desperate gaze of the Fox Sports cameras hoping for a scoop. Tim Horan proving to be uncharacteristically quiet in his attempts to start Cheika to the Tahs rumours due to an unfortunate mobile phone accident whilst trying to simulatneously take a piss, tweet and fix his wayward hair. Whispers will circulate the ground..was that Cheika..where's Cheika...I thought I saw Cheika...and in a homage to the big reveal at the ending of the Usual Suspects...just like that..he was gone...Cheika gone to the Force and out of the clutches of the flumoxed Tahs board.

Force by 15..Cheika to be announced as coach...GO the Force!

Go the force.