F
Fushitsusha
Guest
Well, I'm going to kick this thread off by writing from a Brumbies' point of view...
Unfortunately last week the Brumbies got off to an absolutely woeful start to their South African trip by losing to the 12th placed Lions...
The Brumbies would be absolutely guttered by this loss as their backline had only just begun to click after some fairly average performances in the first few rounds...
They created so many opportunities for themselves against the Lions but continually turned over the ball after they'd get within striking distance...
A win last week would've put them into 5th place on the ladder which would've been excellent considering they've already had the bye (unlike many teams sitting near the top)... now they sit down in 9th place and it puts a lot of pressure on them heading into a match with one of the favourites for the competition... a loss here would probably end any finals hopes...
What's not going to help is that Mortlock is under an injury cloud and not only would he be missed for the dynamic player he is... but the Brumbies would be forced to realign the entire backline to either make way for Fairbanks or Mafi's debut for the season...
A glimmer of hope resides in the fact that the Brumbies have not lost to the Sharks since 2005... in 2007 they bounced back after a dreadful flogging from the Cheetahs(!) and upset the then undefeated Sharks at home... and in both previous matches George Smith has nearly single handedly annhilated the Sharks' breakdown...
I'm a bit concerned by some of the changes made for the Brumbies XV and hope it's not panicking by Friend and co. after that dreadful loss... players who have done little wrong such as Fainifo and Kimlin have been replaced by Chapman (who will be making his first start to the year after shoulder injury) and Rathbone (who has been underwhelming all year)... hopefully Chapman will boost their lineout as the Brumbies' haven't had a height advantage over their competition this year (despite having Timani on the bench) and it's a shame considering Moore's pinpoint throwing...
Hopefully the Brumbies can pull off the upset... they've got the players to do it but it's going to be a tough ask...
Brumbies team to play the Sharks:
1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Guy Shepherdson
4. Ben Hand
5. Mark Chisholm
6. Mitchell Chapman
7. George Smith ©
8. Julian Salvi
9. Joshua Holmes
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Clyde Rathbone
12. Tyrone Smith
13. Stirling Mortlock
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Mark Gerrard
Reserves
16. Huia Edmonds
17. Salesi Ma’afu
18. Shawn Mackay
19. Peter Kimlin
20. Patrick Phibbs
21. Gene Fairbanks
22. Alfi Mafi
23. Matt Toomua
(one to be omitted)
If the Brumbies win this I'll be returning home at 4am to have the best sleep ever...
Unfortunately last week the Brumbies got off to an absolutely woeful start to their South African trip by losing to the 12th placed Lions...
The Brumbies would be absolutely guttered by this loss as their backline had only just begun to click after some fairly average performances in the first few rounds...
They created so many opportunities for themselves against the Lions but continually turned over the ball after they'd get within striking distance...
A win last week would've put them into 5th place on the ladder which would've been excellent considering they've already had the bye (unlike many teams sitting near the top)... now they sit down in 9th place and it puts a lot of pressure on them heading into a match with one of the favourites for the competition... a loss here would probably end any finals hopes...
What's not going to help is that Mortlock is under an injury cloud and not only would he be missed for the dynamic player he is... but the Brumbies would be forced to realign the entire backline to either make way for Fairbanks or Mafi's debut for the season...
A glimmer of hope resides in the fact that the Brumbies have not lost to the Sharks since 2005... in 2007 they bounced back after a dreadful flogging from the Cheetahs(!) and upset the then undefeated Sharks at home... and in both previous matches George Smith has nearly single handedly annhilated the Sharks' breakdown...
I'm a bit concerned by some of the changes made for the Brumbies XV and hope it's not panicking by Friend and co. after that dreadful loss... players who have done little wrong such as Fainifo and Kimlin have been replaced by Chapman (who will be making his first start to the year after shoulder injury) and Rathbone (who has been underwhelming all year)... hopefully Chapman will boost their lineout as the Brumbies' haven't had a height advantage over their competition this year (despite having Timani on the bench) and it's a shame considering Moore's pinpoint throwing...
Hopefully the Brumbies can pull off the upset... they've got the players to do it but it's going to be a tough ask...
Brumbies team to play the Sharks:
1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Guy Shepherdson
4. Ben Hand
5. Mark Chisholm
6. Mitchell Chapman
7. George Smith ©
8. Julian Salvi
9. Joshua Holmes
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Clyde Rathbone
12. Tyrone Smith
13. Stirling Mortlock
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Mark Gerrard
Reserves
16. Huia Edmonds
17. Salesi Ma’afu
18. Shawn Mackay
19. Peter Kimlin
20. Patrick Phibbs
21. Gene Fairbanks
22. Alfi Mafi
23. Matt Toomua
(one to be omitted)
If the Brumbies win this I'll be returning home at 4am to have the best sleep ever...