Lions v Brumbies, preview

Lions v Brumbies, preview

March 29, 2007 - 8:50am
Story by: Sportal

Venue & time

Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Sunday, April 1, 1.00am (AEST)

Head to head

Played 12: Brumbies 9, Lions/Cats 3

Last time

March 4, 2006 (Canberra) - Brumbies 24-7 Lions/Cats

Walking wounded & team changes

The Lions have all their players available but have chosen to rotate prop Brian Mujati for Bertus Smit while centre Jaque Fourie starts from the bench with Doppies La Grange joining Jaco Pretorius in the centres.

The Brumbies are still without skipper Stirling Mortlock (hand) but centre partner Gene Fairbanks returns to the starting XV after recovering from a head knock and joins Adam-Ashley Cooper in the centres. Julian Huxley moves to fullback.

Form

The Lions turned around two heavy away losses to the Blues and Chiefs to register a convincing win over the Hurricanes in Joburg last week. They seem to grow an extra leg at Ellis Park and can't be taken lightly.

The Brumbies delivered the goods last week when their season was on the line. They need to consolidate that win with victory over the Lions. Their defence has been a highlight throughout the season but last week showed their attack is getting back to the Brumbies of old.

Who's hot

Lions flyhalf Andre Pretorius has made a stunning return to top-flight rugby and is showing his true class while loose forwards Cobus Grobbelaar, Ernst Joubert and Jacques Cronje had a great match in last week's win over the Hurricanes.

Brumbies utility back Julian Huxley has been outstanding all season and shone again last week in the centres. It is a similar story for lock Mark Chisholm while flanker Jone Tawake had his biggest game for the Brumbies last week and made stacks of yards through the centre of the ruck. No.8 Stephen Hoiles has also been impressive as has Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Teams

Lions

1. Heinke van der Merwe,
2. Ethienne Reynecke,
3. Brian Mujati,
4. Cobus Grobler,
5. Anton van Zyl,
6. Cobus Grobbelaar,
7. Ernst Joubert,
8. Jacques Cronje,

9. Enrico Januarie,
10. Andre Pretorius (captain),
11. Jannie Boshoff,
12. Jaco Pretorius,
13. Doppies la Grange,
14. Louis Ludik,
15. Jaco van Schalkwyk.

16. Willie Wepener,
17. Bertus Smit,
18. Franco van der Merwe,
19. Willem Alberts,
20. Jano Vermaak,
21. jaque fourie,
22. Wylie Human.

Brumbies

1. Nic Henderson,
2. Jeremy Paul,
3. Guy Shepherdson,
4. Adam Wallace-Harrison,
5. Mark Chisholm,
6. Jone Tawake,
7. George Smith (capt),
8. Stephen Hoiles,

9. George Gregan,
10.Stephen Larkham,
11. Mark Gerrard,
12. Gene Fairbanks,
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper,
14. Clyde Rathbone,
15. Julian Huxley.

16. Saia Faingaa,
17. Salesi Ma'afu,
18. Richard Stanford,
19. Julian Salvi,
20. Patrick Phibbs,
21. Anthony Faingaa,
22. Francis Fainifo.