The Brumbies can strengthen their hold on top spot in the Australian conference with a win when they meet the Blues in Auckland tonight. We’ll have live scores from 5.35pm AEST.
The Brumbies head across the Tasman after a bruising encounter in Sydney last weekend, which they eventually lost 28-22.
But the loss wasn’t the worst of coach Jake White’s concerns. George Smith suffered medial ligament damage that is likely to keep him out until July, and centre Pat McCabe also picked up knee ligament damage and will miss the game.
It continued what has been an indifferent month or so for the Brumbies, having also lost to the Crusaders and drawn with the Reds, though they did hammer the Force 41-7.
The Blues had a torrid time last Saturday night when they were mauled by the Crusaders 23-3 in a wet affair, and while their forwards held their own against the Crusaders’ pack for the first 60 minutes they were eventually overpowered in the final 20.
With rain predicted in Auckland tonight it is expected they’ll face another test against a physical Brumbies unit.
The advantage the Blues get from Smith’s absence for the Brumbies will be somewhat negated by the loss of Steve Luatua, who is out with a neck injury, with Brendon O’Connor coming in at blindside.
This is the kind of contest that genuinely could go either way, with the side that dominates at the breakdown likely to come out on top tonight.
Can the Brumbies stay on top of the Australian Conference, or will the Blues send them home empty-handed? Find out from 5.35pm AEST as we cover the action with live scores.