Highlanders v Brumbies, preview

May 04, 2007 - 6:44am
Story by: Sportal

Venue & time

Carisbrook, Dunedin, Saturday May 5, 15:35 AEST (17:35 NZT).

Head to head

Played 11 – Highlanders 6, Brumbies 5.

Last time

May 6, 2006 (Canberra) – Brumbies 26-28 Highlanders.

Walking wounded and team changes

Neither side has many injury worries and only Viliame Waqaseduadua, replaced by Matt Saunders, is out of the highlanders team that played in Wellington.

The Brumbies have made only one change to the matchday 22 and welcome lock Alister Campbell back to the bench after he has been out since round 3 with a foot injury.

Form

The Highlanders could have won last week if Nick Evans’ last-minute conversion had been a couple of feet to the right, but the damage had been done before that. The Highlanders have fulfilled pre-season expectations of a mid-table finish and showing the ability to put up strong fights against playoff contenders, without having the necessary ability to win games against the hardest opposition.

The Brumbies win last week owed a great deal to stout defence and the ability to break out when chances were offered, while the goal-kicking was also adequate. But for all their eight wins in 2007 the Brumbies still need help to make the playoffs; an inability to score tries and gather bonus points may finally be the difference between a good season and a successful one.

Who's hot

The last two weeks have seen Nick Evans return to something like his best form and his running has been the most dangerous attacking weapon in the Highlanders armoury. The front row of Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver and Clarke Dermody has been unmatched in the last month and Tom Donnelly has made a strong return to rugby at this level.

Stephen Larkham had a fine game last week, picking his options well, and was greatly assisted by George Gregan at scrumhalf and Stirling Mortlock in the centres. The Brumbies forwards worked hard; as usual, George Smith was a pest at the breakdown, winning his normal ration of turnover ball, and his tight five gave him a good platform to work from.

Teams

Highlanders:

1. Clarke Dermody,
2. Anton Oliver,
3. Carl Hayman,
4. Filipo Levi,
5. Tom Donnelly,
6. Josh Blackie (c),
7. Alando Soakai,
8. Craig Newby,

9. Jimmy Cowan,
10. Nick Evans,
11. Matt Saunders,
12. Charlie Hore,
13. Jason Kawau,
14. Lucky Mulipola,
15. James Wilson.

16. Jason MacDonald,
17. Chris King,
18. Hoani MacDonald,
19. Ezra Taylor,
20. Toby Morland,
21. Callum Bruce,
22. Glen Horton.

Brumbies:

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

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

16. Saia Faingaa,
17. Salesi Ma’afu,
18. Alister Campbell,
19. Julian Salvi,
20. Patrick Phibbs,
21. Peter Playford,
22. Francis Fainifo.