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What is the worst news you can give the Stormers after they have just been beaten by the top two franchises of 2013 in New Zealand? Tell them they next meet the Brumbies in Canberra. Join us for live scores and updates from 7:30PM AEDT.
A close shave against the Crusaders and an even tougher match against the Chiefs has left the Stormers injured, scarred and beaten.
Injuries to Jaco Taute sees him being replaced by Gio Aplon, who moves from wing to fullback, Sailosi Tagicakibau will replace Aplon at wing, while Michael Rhodes comes back from injury to replace the injured De Kock Steenkamp.
Whether Allistair Coetzee has decided Peter Grant offers more on attack for the Stormers or he is just growing tired of the Stormers’ inability and lack of creativity in attack, Demetri Catrakilis has been replaced.
Although the Brumbies team has not been announced at the time of the preview, they are unlikely to see any changes, bar injuries.
Head-to-head, the wins stand at three each in recent times, however looking at form you would have to argue the Brumbies should be clear favourites in this match.
So what can we expect?
The Stormers will want to lift their defence and they need to improve their intensity and urgency at the mauls, having been rather ineffective this year. Their major concern would be how to improve their execution, not only in attack, but also their exit strategies from within their red zone. In all of these aspects the Brumbies have little issue.
Both teams would want to play the tactical territory game, reducing the risk inside their halves and attack with structured multiphase play, however the Brumbies won’t mind the game getting a bit loose and unstructured as their backline of Matt Toomua, Pat McCabe, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight and Jesse Mogg has shown a lot more flair and their execution levels have been far superior to anything the Stormers have served up this year.
My tip, Brumbies by more than 10.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.