Brumbies, Hurricanes eyeing second win in Super XV – Rugby news
One point is all that separates the ACT Brumbies from Wellington Hurricanes in the combined table for Super XV or Super Rugby 2011.
However, the clash is not to secure a top position on the table mere it is a representation of the point difference of two teams who are really having a bad, odd-looking run of form during the ongoing Super XV. Brumbies are currently present at 11th place
on the combined table with 13 points while Hurricanes are at 12th spot with 12 points after playing same (six) games in the Super XV so far.
As both teams gear up to play their seventh game of the season, both will be desperate for a win. So far, in the Super XV both teams have won a single game each, which truly does not reflect both teams actual strength. Brumbies are hanging at fourth position
in the Australian Conference while Hurricanes are at the bottom in the New Zealand conference.
Keeping in view the past track record, Hurricanes will start as the favourites; in fact, Brumbies might write themselves off the victory considering their poor run of form this season. Brumbies are yet to secure a win against Hurricanes since 2006.
Both teams have so far played 16 matches against each other with both teams winning eight games each. Hurricanes have won their last four matches against the Brumbies consecutively. During their previous visits two visits to Canberra, Hurricanes have ended
up on the winnings side while the remaining two wins coming in their home ground at Wellington.
Another worrying thing is that Brumbies get closest to the Hurricanes in 2007, with final scorecard reading 10 – 11 favouring Hurricanes.
In 2008, Hurricanes defeated Brumbies in Canberra by 33 – 15. In the following year, Hurricanes delivered a massive defeat to Brumbies in front of their home ground by thrashing the visitors by 56 – 7. Last year at Canberra, it was Hurricanes ending on the
winning side with final scorecard reading 23 – 13.
While Brumbies have announced unchanged and will play the same unit that took the field against the Highlanders, Hurricanes have ringed some change in their starting line-up. For Brumbies Pat McCabe has made to the bench who has recovered from minor hamstring
injury. Hurricanes on the other hand have made number of changes, which includes Aaron Cruden making the starting XV as Daniel Kirkpatrick being dropped to the bench.
Tyson Keats has been dropped on the bench making way for Chris Eaton. In other changes, Julian Savea and Cory Jane have made way for Andre Taylor and Alapati Leiua. Hurricanes are without the services of few key players who are missing out due to injury.
This include Piri Weepu missing due to ankle injury, Rodney So’oialo having back problems, Karl Lowe due to knee injury and Laurence Corlett who is suffering from calf injury.
Match is of lesser importance as the results will not shack up the standings still a lot is at stake for both teams who are of course looking to redeem their form to give them start to improve their stats in the remaining tournament. In their previous 16
encounters on average Brumbies have scored 26 points as compare to Hurricanes 28. However, while playing at Canberra the averages changes favouring Brumbies at 28 – 25.
Still the recent run of form is major determinant of deciding the favourites and Brumbies with occasionally better performances may end the Hurricanes four consecutive wins streak. A draw is also very much on card if both teams persist with their sloppy
performance and play with the game without intensity.
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