The Brumbies will hope to extend their lead at the top of the Australian conference as they travel to Wellington to take on the Hurricanes on Friday night. We’ll have commentary from 5.35pm AEST.
The Brumbies come into the game fresh after a bye and will be looking to make it three wins in a row, while the hosts also come into the game with some momentum after a last-gasp win over the Highlanders last week.
They will be desperate to pick up the win and keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Brumbies have made two changes for the clash, with Nic White dropping to the bench for Ian Prior and Zack Holmes filling the huge gap left by the injured Lealiifano.
There was some talk of Steven Larkham coming out of retirement but in the end the number ten jersey has been handed to 21-year-old Holmes. He will have a huge task in keeping the Brumbies backline ticking along.
The Hurricanes have made a big change in dropping Beauden Barrett to the bench. His form has dropped off in the last few weeks but it is still a big call for a team needing the win.
Tusi Pisi will come in to replace him and will perhaps provide more physicality on defence, an area where Barrett has been somewhat found out.
The Canes have one of the most exciting back threes in the competition and will be very dangerous from counter attack and broken play, and Andre Taylor in particular has been great this year.
History is against the Brumbies as they haven’t beaten the Canes in Wellington since 2003 and also have had just one win away from home this season beating the lacklustre Lions.
But the Hurricanes have only won one game in New Zealand’s capital this year, against a similarly poor team, the Blues, so it is all to play for in this one.
It will be a fascinating contest and you can catch live scoring and blogging from 5.35PM AEST right here on The Roar.
Sage
Guest
I'm sure those mushrooms looked innocent enough at the time Jerry. Chuck plays the Mandolin with his fists too
Jerry
Guest
I'm quite looking forward to the next couple of years with regards to reffing performances. Not cause I think they'll improve to any meaningful degree, but so that all the people that whinged about Paddy F'ing O'Brien will have to think of some other excuse to whinge.
Bakkies
Guest
Kaplan is nowhere near Lawrence's level. Kaplan is probably the most complained about referee on the panel. People go on about Bryce Lawrence but Kaplan has cost a lot of teams over the years. Thank god Paddy O'Brien is gone
Bakkies
Guest
Spies is a flat track bully. Plays well at Super Rugby level but goes missing in test matches. Other test number 8s work their socks off compared to Spies. Reminds me of certain Waratahs who get picked for the Wallabies
Jerry
Guest
His only crime was that he was from SA and they had two refs rated higher than him.
Jerry
Guest
I bet you can imagine all sorts of things. I can imagine a unicorn riding a pegasus over a rainbow while Chuck Norris plays the guitar solo from Hotel California on a mandolin. See how that works?
Ash
Guest
I can imagine what the score would've been with a local ref.
Ash
Guest
Is so good to have neutral Refs! Long may it continue!
Cameron
Guest
Where about's would you have the 6th team? Adelaide?
Samvandamn
Guest
As I said King Playmaker, one purple patch. You pretty much proved my point. Normal service will resume shortly.
Loftus
Guest
It's only from the rest of the country, not from Bulls fans obviously. Provincialism is still running strong in SA! They all reckon they know better than the Bulls' coaching staff,who has 3 Super rugby titles to show.
mikeylives
Guest
can never understand the dissing of Spies. I think he is a very good player.
Johnno
Guest
Totally agree KPM, disgraceful non selection by the IRB. There are vested in rugby wherever they come form these vested interests who knows ultimately but there are the vested interests and rugby union has to sort it out. Lawrence was a neutral ref and it showed tonight he was totally that neutral. Sad we couldn't get more matches of the ref standard in the world cup 2011 KPM in my opinion.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Ask the Chiefs, Crusaders and Hurricanes how weak the Australian conference is: The Cattery is right Australia is ready.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
That's a crime for referee selection by the IRB Johnno: he must be biased and represent vested interests and the powerful nations/home teams.
bluerose
Guest
Hooper and Gill gonna have a decade of fierce inter state rivalry, if only the ARU can sign up Jake White to be a consultant to Deans or even better work together with Deans, good job Brumbies BUT too much aimless kicking by the halfbacks.
Samvandamn
Guest
Wow! one purple patch for Aussie teams and some people get a tad over confident. You seem to forget due to the dismal season in general for Aussie teams it looks as though there will be only one Aussie team in the Semi's.
apelu
Guest
Flood gate against the Bulls? What game were you watching KD? The Bulls scored only 2 tries, while the Brumbies scored 5!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
No, if we're considering 6th teams elsewhere, then I am saying Australia is ready for a 6th team as well.
Pecs McGee
Guest
Good win for the Brumbies. As a Reds supporter I think this result has made it very difficult for QLD to make the semis. Hopefully they get a win tomorrow