Week 13 Preview: Brumbies v Blues

VENUE & TIME: Canberra Stadium, Saturday May 9, 7.40pm (AEST).
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 15 – Blues 9, Brumbies 6.
LAST TIME: April 12, 2008 (Auckland) – Brumbies 16-11 Blues.

WALKING WOUNDED: The Brumbies have lost Mark Gerrard for the season after the Japan-bound full-back aggravated his troublesome hamstring at training on Monday. Prop Guy Shepherdson's return from suspension is a boost for the hosts who also welcome back loose forward Julian Salvi (ankle) to the bench.

All Blacks prop John Afoa, scrumhalf Chris Smylie and centre Jamie Helleur are all back on deck this week. But the good news stops there for the injury ravaged Blues. With 10 players already in the injury ward, key outside backs Anthony Tuitavake (hamstring) and Rene Ranger (hamstring) are both in serious doubt for Saturday's do-or-die clash. To make matters worse locks Jay Williams (ankle) and Kurtis Haiu, whose wife is expecting their second child, are also in doubt. Flanker Justin Collins was not named in the 22 after failing to overcome a head knock.

FORM: The Brumbies were simply too good for the embattled Reds on the way to a 52-13 triumph on Saturday night. Their season-saving victory was a vast improvement on their record loss suffered at the hands of competition leaders the Hurricanes a fortnight ago.
Consecutive losses to the Hurricanes and Reds have seen the Blues plummet to eighth spot - one point adrift of the seventh-placed Brumbies - and in need of two bonus-point victories to scrape into the semis.

WHO'S HOT: Skipper Stephen Hoiles was back to his best against the Reds in his fourth match since returning from injury. The mobile No.8 scored twice and was heavily involved at the breakdown throughout to lead his men to a crucial victory.

Blues wing Ranger was the standout performer in a losing side last start. The livewire 22-year-old breached the Hurricanes' formidable defensive line on eight occasions and was clearly the Blues' most potent attacking weapon.

WE THINK: If the Brumbies are the legitimate title contenders they think they are they must dominate the injury ravaged Blues at home and record a bonus-point victory. And we think they will. Brumbies by 15.

TEAMS:
Brumbies: 1. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Guy Shepherdson, 4. Ben Hand, 5. Peter Kimlin, 6. Mitchell Chapman, 7. George Smith, 8. Stephen Hoiles (c), 9. Patrick Phibbs, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Stirling Mortlock, 12. Gene Fairbanks, 13. Tyrone Smith, 14. Francis Fainifo, 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Blues: 15. Rudi Wulf, 14. Rene Ranger, 13. Anthony Tuitavake, 12. Isaia Toeava, 11. Joe Rokocoko, 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 9. Chris Smylie / Grayson Hart, 8. Jerome Kaino, 7. Tom Chamberlain, 6. Peter Saili, 5. Kurtis Haiu / Andrew Van der Heijden, 4. Jay Williams / Dean Budd, 3. John Afoa, 2. Keven Mealamu, 1. Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: 16. Tom McCartney, 17. Charlie Faumuina, 18. Dean Budd, 19. Andrew Van der Heijden, 20. Grayson Hart / Matt France, 21. Jamie Helleur / Winston Stanley, 22. Paul Williams.

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