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Preview: Blues v Brumbies

Wednesday, March 17 One of the key match-ups of Round 6 gets us underway in Auckland on Friday morning with the Blues hosting the Brumbies at Eden Park.

The Blues return after a rest week which has caused them to slip down to tenth place on the Super 14 log.  Pat Lam's men have been unconvincing this season as their two from four win ratio suggests.  They have plenty to prove against a Brumbies side who have also failed to fire on all cylinders, but find themselves in tied fourth position with four wins out of five.

History favours the home side in this one with the Blues winning six out of the nine Super rugby games between these two sides at Eden Park, although the Brumbies did manage a 16-11 win two years ago.

Team news sees the Blues welcome back Isaia Toeava from injury. He slots in at fullback with Paul Williams dropping to the bench.

The Brumbies also have just the one change with Stirling Mortlock missing out due to a neck injury with Tyrone Smith being promoted up of the bench to fill his spot at outside centre.

The Blues looked to be steadily improving before their week off with the forwards picking up their game and the backline finally threatening.  If they can keep up that effort - with Alby Mathewson looking increasingly confident at scrumhalf - they will be difficult to beat.

The Brumbies have been a somewhat surprising team this year to date.  Known as one of the most attacking teams in the competition they were expected to cut loose with the magician Matt Giteau back at flyhalf and Rocky Elsom stirring the coals in the engine room.  That might not have happened yet, but their experience seems to have certainly helped the men from Canberra grind out results in tough games.

This is also the first time the Brumbies will face a team from New Zealand - although it is difficult to know what conclusions to draw from that statistic.  One thing to remember is that the Brumbies have recorded three of their wins over the three winless sides in the competition - namely the Force, Lions and Sharks. 

Key battle:  Isaia Toeava v Adam Ashley-Cooper

Two of the most attacking and exciting fullbacks in the competition line-up opposite each other for this game.  It's sure to make for interesting viewing.

Prediction:  The Brumbies look to be battling a bit to form a cohesive unit and I think that this might be shown up by the Blues on Friday.  A Blues win by 5.

	19 Mar 10 08:35 Eden Park Auckland, New Zealand
Tony Woodcock 1 Ben Alexander Keven Mealamu 2 Stephen Moore John Afoa 3 Salesi Ma'afu Kurtis Haiu 4 Ben Hand Anthony Boric 5 Mark Chisholm Jerome Kaino 6 Rocky Elsom Serge Lilo 7 George Smith Viliame Maafu 8 Stephen Hoiles Alby Mathewson 9 Josh Valentine Stephen Brett 10 Matt Giteau Rudi Wulf 11 Francis Fainifo Benson Stanley 12 Christian Lealiifano Rene Ranger 13 Tyrone Smith Josevata Rokocoko 14 Pat McCabe Isaia Toeava 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper Tom McCartney 16 Huia Edmonds Charlie Faumuina 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa Filo Paulo 18 Justin Harrison Peter Saili 19 Mitchell Chapman Chris Smylie 20 Patrick Phibbs Daniel Kirkpatrick 21 Matt Toomua Paul Williams 22 Andrew Smith       Captain - Keven Mealamu Toeava returns at fullback at the expense of Williams who drops to the bench Mealamu the first player to get 100 caps for the Blues   Captain - Stephen Hoiles Mortlock out injured - replaced by Tyrone Smith Yanuyanutawa and Smith new inclusions on the bench

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