Preview: Brumbies v Highlanders

VENUE & TIME: Canberra Stadium, Canberra, Sat May 8, 9.40pm (NZT)

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HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14 – Brumbies 8, Highlanders 6.

LAST TIME: February 13, 2009 (Dunedin) – Brumbies 33-31 Highlanders (round 1).

LAST TIME AT VENUE: February 23, 2008 (Canberra) – Brumbies 22-20 Highlanders (round 2)

WALKING WOUNDED: Departing Brumbies flanker George Smith has been cleared to make his farewell appearance at Canberra Stadium against the Highlanders after overcoming a shoulder injury, but fellow stalwart Stirling Mortlock remains in doubt with a back injury. Mortlock, who has spent the past month on the sidelines, will undergo a final fitness test on Friday to determine whether he'll take his place on the bench for this pivotal clash. The return of flyhalf Matt Toomua from a knee injury sees Matt Giteau shift to inside centre, with Tyrone Smith moving to outside centre and Andrew Smith named on the wing. Julian Huxley (back) and Alfie Mafi (leg), Francis Fainifo (broken leg) Christian Lealiifano (knee) all remain sidelined indefinitely. For the Highlanders, one Test All Black Ben Smith will slot in at centre after Kendrick Lynn was ruled out with a groin strain suffered in the win over the Waratahs. Prop Clint Newland has a back strain and joins halfback Sean Romans, All Blacks lock Tom Donnelly, hooker Jason McDonald, and utility Michael Hobbs on the sidelines. Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has opted not to recall giant prop Jamie Mackintosh from a toe injury, with the vice-captain to make his return through the club ranks.

FORM:
Brumbies Past Five:
Week 12: Win, 32-12 v Reds, Canberra
Week 11: Loss, 19-12 v Waratahs, Sydney
Week 10: Loss 23-13 v Hurricanes, Canberra
Week 9: Win, 61-15 v Cheetahs
Week 8: Bye

Highlanders Past Five:
Week 12: Win, 26-10 v Waratahs, Invercargill
Week 11: Loss, 33-31 v Hurricanes, Dunedin
Week 10: Bye
Week 9: Loss, 41-27 v Force, Dunedin
Week 8: Loss, 27-21 v Chiefs, Hamilton

With their season on life support, the Brumbies finally showed what they are capable of against the Reds, who were arguably the form side of the competition heading in to last weekend's clash. For just the second time this season, the Brumbies scored four tries to take maximum points out of the Week 12 clash and breathe new life into their stuttering campaign. The Brumbies sit two points outside the four in sixth spot but can secure a place in the semis with victories over the Highlanders and Crusaders in the final two rounds. The Highlanders backed up their strong performance in a narrow loss against the Hurricanes with a shock victory over the Waratahs in horrible conditions at Invercargill last weekend. Having led 12-10 at the break, the Highlanders piled on 14 unanswered points in the second half to secure a major upset and just their third win of the campaign. Although they sit in 12th position on the ladder, the Highlanders are an extremely dangerous opponent and have been in the contest in most of their matches this season, with four of their eight losses coming by seven points or less.

WHO'S HOT: Matt Giteau overcame a dramatic week to produce easily his best performance of the season when his team needed it most against the Reds. The incumbent Wallabies five-eighth sent a strong message to Wallabies selectors and the growing band of critics calling for Quade Cooper to take Giteau's spot in the national team, producing a man-of-the-match performance. Prop Ben Alexander has been arguably the Brumbies' best player this season and was again the pick of an impressive forward pack against the Reds, scoring a double for the third time this season. Highlanders flanker Adam Thomson was in his element in wet and windy conditions against the Waratahs at Invercargill. The All Blacks loose forward scored a try in each half to spearhead a dominant performance from the imposing Highlanders pack. Hooker Jason Rutledge was another standout performer while fullback Israel Dagg was a constant threat in attack.

WE THINK: Matches between these two teams have traditionally been tight affairs, but with so much on the line for the Brumbies this week we expect the hosts to get home comfortably. If keeping their season alive isn't enough motivation, the emotion surrounding the final home games for stalwarts George Smith and Stirling Mortlock should translate into a big win for the Brumbies. Brumbies by 15.

TEAMS:

Highlanders: 1. Chris King, 2. Jason Rutledge, 3. Bronson Murray, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 5. Hayden Triggs, 6. Adam Thomson, 7. Alando Soakai, 8. Steven Setephano, 9. Jimmy Cowan (c), 10. Matt Berquist, 11. Fetu'u Vainikolo, 12. Jason Shoemark, 13. Ben Smith, 14. James Paterson, 15. Israel Dagg.
Reserves: 16. Peter Mirrielees, 17. Keith Cameron, 18. Joe Tuineau, 19. John Hardie, 20. Scott Cowan, 21. Robbie Robinson, 22. Jayden Hayward.

Brumbies: 1. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Salesi Ma'afu, 4. Mitchell Chapman, 5. Mark Chisholm, 6. Rocky Elsom, 7. George Smith, 8. Stephen Hoiles (c), 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Andrew Smith, 12. Matt Giteau, 13. Tyrone Smith, 14. Pat McCabe, 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Reserves: 16. Huia Edmonds, 17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18. Ben Hand, 19. Colby Faingaa, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Brackin Karauria-Henry, 22. Ed Stubbs/Stirling Mortlock.

REFEREE: Chris Pollock