Eden Park, Auckland, Saturday 5.35pm (AEST)
Last meeting: Round 18 2012 - Blues 30 bt Brumbies 16 at Canberra Stadium
Head-to-head: Played 18 Blues 11 Brumbies 7
In Auckland: Played 10 Blues 7 Brumbies 3
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (RSA)
TV: Live, FoxSports 2
TAB Sportsbet: Blues $1.57 Brumbies $2.30
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Steve Samuelson writes: The Blues denied the Brumbies a finals berth last year with a last-round wipeout in Canberra. Both teams are missing key back-rowers, with the Brumbies fielding third-choice No.7, Colby Fainga’a, while the Blues are missing Steven Luatua.
AAP writes: This shapes to be a scrappy, desperate game in the wet. The Brumbies haven’t won at Eden Park since 2008 and coach Jake White risks losing three consecutive games for the first time. The Blues on the other hand are clinging to finals contention in sixth place and face a tough run in.
With George Smith ruled out of the Brumbies with a knee injury, it’ll be up to Colby Fainga'a to step up at flanker in his first start in over two years. Damaging Blues loose forward Steven Luatua is out with injury, while Francis Saili returns at inside centre for Jackson Willison.
BLUES: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Rene Ranger, Francis Saili, Goerge Moala, Chris Noakes, Piri Weepu, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Brendon O'Connor, Ali Williams (capt), Culum Retallick, Angus Ta'avao/Sam Prattley, Keven Mealamu, Tim Perry. Reserves: James Parsons, Prattley/Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Anthony Boric, Kane Barrett, Jamison Gibson-Park, Baden Kerr, Jackson Willison.
BRUMBIES: Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Ben Mowen (capt), Colby Faingaa, Peter Kimlin, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio. Reserves: Siliva Siliva, Ruan Smith, Fotu Auelua, Jordan Smiler, Ian Prior, Robbie Coleman, Clyde Rathbone.
