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The Chiefs host the Brumbies at in Waikato Stadium in New Plymouth to open up Round 2 of Super Rugby. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:35pm AEDT.
Is this match a potential grand final preview? Early signs would have it pegged as one of the likely outcomes.
The last time the Chiefs hosted the Brumbies was in fact the 2013 grand final, which the Chiefs won by five points. The Brumbies won the next two clashes matches convincingly.
Today, the Brumbies need to play like it’s a grand final if they are going to get the win.
In a week of upsets, both the Chiefs and the Brumbies were oustanding, and delivered very good performances and best numbers. The Chiefs managed the most metres (597), breaks (12) and offloads (19). The Brumbies topped the charts for carries (126), time in possession (19m52s) and tries (six). They also missed the fewest tackles last weekend (8).
Sometimes known as the ‘Guzzler’, 2014 IRB player of the year Brodie Retallick will be joining fellow All Blacks from the bench in the Chiefs pack. He will be facing Wallaby lock Sam Carter. His other challenger is Rory Arnold, who stands at 208cm, weighs 127 kilograms, is 4 centimetres higher and 6 kilograms heavier than Retallick.
The Chiefs starting locks includes Michael Fitzgerald, who had a fairly good game. Matt Symons was more enthusiastic in defence, where his zeal earned him a yellow card.
David Pocock, sometimes known as ‘Bam Bam’, will be absent from this match due to an ankle injury. This game was a missed opportunity for him to regain his match fitness, after missing two years due to injuries to both knees. He will miss the chance to lead his team and his backrow against some of the best in the business: All Blacks Liam Messam and Sam Cane. There is one more.
This will be eighthman Viapulu’s second Super Rugby match, after winning the 2014 ITM cup playing for Counties Manukau. If he plays like last week, he will wreck the same havoc upon the Brumbies that he meted against backrowers Jerome Kaino and Steven Luatua. They had 131 Super Rugby and 70 All Black caps between them.
The 190cm, 112 kilogram Viapulu ran more metres than Sonny Bill Williams. He ran more metres than all of the Blues players except for their fullback, and most of his own team mates except for the wingers. He won the game’s best turnover statistics, beating backrowers on both teams. He also won more turnovers than the total tight five from each teams.
‘David’ Lealiifano versus ‘Goliath’ Sonny Bill Williams
What do you do, when your opposite number is 15 kilograms heavier and half a foot taller? Since Lealiifano is not allowed to carry slingshots, he will need outside centre Tevita Kuridrani to help take care of business in midfield.
The Brumbies will probably take great pains to retain possession, and rumble their pack to move and back peddle the Chiefs. Their halves and granite speedsters will look to combine to commit the Chiefs defence.
Chiefs to tame the Ponies?
Looking at the bookies odds, there seems to be strong support for a Chiefs victory. Considering last week’s trend, another major upset could instead happen.
Last week, the Blues staged a second half come back, by retaining possession. The tough men of the Brumbies should put in a 80 minute 23 man performance. Because ‘killers’ like Brodie Retallick and replacement flyhalf Damian McKenzie will plan to put the Brumbies to the sword when they come on.
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.