The first Super Rugby quarter-final is in Canberra and features the only remaining Australian hopeful, the Brumbies, who host current champions the Highlanders. Join The Roar from 6pm (AEST) to follow our live coverage of the game.
The Brumbies finished the regular season in fourth place as Australian Conference winners and with 43 points.
The Highlanders finished in fifth place overall but second in the New Zealand Conference with 52 points.
Last season the Highlanders won the title, but history isn’t on the visitor’s side. They trail the Brumbies in their head-to-head record 12-8, and haven’t won in the Australian capital since 2006.
However, they have already played once this season and the match was won 23-10 by the Highlanders at Invercargill, when the home side produced a remarkable defensive performance to foil the Brumbies.
The Brumbies’ form has been underwhelming of late but they have been given a huge boost for this match with the return of David Pocock from a six-week injury lay off.
On the subject of injuries, Wallabies lock Rory Arnold has been ruled out of tonight’s match after failing to recover from an elbow injury suffered during last week’s win over the Western Force. Blake Enever will take his spot in the starting side.
The absence of Arnold’s height will hurt the hosts, with the lineout perhaps one area they could have really targeted the Highlanders.
In other changes to the squad, Robbie Coleman replaces James Dargaville on the wing. Ruan Smith will start at tighthead prop with Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin named on the bench after recovering from injury. Leulua’iali’i-Makin replaces Ben Alexander in the reserves.
The Highlanders have made two changes for this match. No. 8 Liam Squire starts after impressing from the bench last week, meaning the versatile Luke Whitelock shifts to lock. Alex Ainley is absent after his outstanding display last Saturday against the Chiefs.
After recovering from illness, co-captain Shane Christie is back on the side of the scrum replacing James Lentjes. Christie missed the last two matches but has been passed fit to play and will make his 11th appearance for the season.
Prop Josh Hohneck and hooker Ash Dixon will both celebrate their 50th Super Rugby games.
Cold and wet weather is predicted which will no doubt slow the game down. If the Brumbies can somehow reduce the impact of Aaron Smith, they stand a chance, while Pocock will look to outmuscle the slightly underdone Christie in another key area of the game.
Prediction
Unlike the Brumbies, the Highlanders were in imperious form last week. Expect it to continue tonight.
Highlanders by ten.
Danny
Guest
Bernie was a delightful 1st 5 but maybe his tactics and composure were due in significant part to Rod Mac who really was superb.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
when the tv shot was from his RIGHT side there was a DEFINITE loss of control on the ball...it was plain to see...except for Kearns, Clarke and Bernie of course
Rebel
Guest
Which match were you watching?
Dave
Guest
TMO got it spot on, for starters he lost control of the ball
cookie
Roar Guru
Do the Brumbies actually have any - tactics ? - backline moves ? Does the coaching team provide any direction or structure? All i see is a team of talented players with no real structure or direction in their play. Larkham was a great player but gee he hasn't been able to teach his backline anything .. either at the brumbies or wallabies.. They are so one-dimensional bash and barge, relying on mistakes rather than manipulating defensive lines.. it's sad
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
That there Harry was I think the real problem ... these are the finals ... not a time to continue with experimentation. By selecting for example Pocock as No 8, Brumbies weakened two positions but not playing their best No 7 at No 7 and compromising the No 8 position.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Don't know about that but there was no way the referee or TMO could see if a try was scored and as the old saying goes "If you xcan't see it you can't award it". The last thing we want is benefit of the doubt decisions.
mapu
Guest
I thought you and your shoulder chip comments were out.
RubberLegs
Guest
Cold,wet and miserable are the conditions the Highlanders love.
RubberLegs
Guest
They play with two #12s and no #10. Bernie should buy Quade; people will go to the games.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Where is your mirror. Are you Steven Larkham
RubberLegs
Guest
Footballing statesman Rob Simmons says You just have take things out of the ref's hands.
RubberLegs
Guest
He should have taken the three points with 20 minutes to go. The Brumbies kicked for the corner and lost another line-out.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Scrum stats were actually even in the end. They both won their own.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah, agree. They're just as bad as sore losers. Good call.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Just a rock then?
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Just because a scrum is going backwards does not mean it's a penalty. The Brumbies failed to control the ball long enough to get to that stage.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Just imagine how Thame would have played out should the highlanders have received the home game they deserved.
Coconut
Guest
Tend to agree... but it is swings and roundabouts... think perhaps this ref has one eye on future honours...
Coconut
Guest
Agree Lara, And it is strange when you consider what a fantastic player he (Larkham) was in a pretty awesome Brumbies/Wallabie backline. They have just seemed to have moved away completely from any kind of incisive and imaginative back-line play of the kind he was renowned for as a player - and rely instead on a (very) one dimensional forward oriented game. I thought the Highlanders did a great job of nullifying the only perceived strength of the Brumbie set piece - their line out. With obviously talented players like Kuridrani just standing out in the backline with no ball and no idea, it really does surprise me.