A week after an agonisingly close loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch, the Plus500 Brumbies return home to GIO Stadium to host the Sharks in what is sure to be an action packed blockbuster.
The Brumbies gave a great account for themselves in New Zealand, working back from an early deficit to give the Crusaders a real scare before falling 17-13. The visitors defence was immense, holding out the Crusaders sustained attack a number of times.
With the ball in hand the Brumbies looked dangerous also, the try to Rory Arnold to open the second half was a great display of running rugby and what the team is capable of if everything clicks together.The Sharks meanwhile suffered a close loss themselves. falling to a new look Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium 28-26 in what was a tough start to their Super Rugby campaign.
The South Africans were in control early on in the match before some late heroics from Duncan Paia’aua led to the Reds taking the lead. The Natal-based franchise gave a good account for themselves however, showing they will be a force to be reckoned with in the competition.Both the Sharks and Brumbies showed dominance at the set piece in their opening fixtures, particularly at scrum time. The match up in that area could prove key in deciding the winner of the fixture.
Sharks and Springboks prop Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarrira is the key to a strong Sharks scrummage and his match up with Brumbies and Wallabies young gun Allan Alaalatoa will be one for the rugby purists to keep their eyes on.
The Brumbies will need to be wary of a mobile Sharks backrow as well, an area of the team that includes young Springbok Jean-Luc du Preez and Tera Mtembu who both scored tries last week against the Reds.The Brumbies backline will be looking to insert themselves into the game early and often with the likelihood that flyhalf Wharenui Hawera will be the key to that happening. The 23-year old will enter the game full of confidence after a strong debut last week and he looks to be forming a good combination with Joe Powell.Hawera will need to be at his best as he goes head-to-head with Springbok Patrick Lambie, who recently became the Sharks franchise’s leading point scorer of all time.
Both sides will have World Class finishers on the outside, Henry Speight of the Brumbies and Lwazi Mvovo will be out to electrify the crowd in attendance at GIO Stadium.With both teams looking to get their first victory of the season the clash will not be one to be missed.
The Plus500 Brumbies will host the Sharks at GIO Stadium on Saturday 4 March March, kick off at 7:45pm.
Tickets will be available at the gate on matchday or can be purchased online here.
