Brumbies looking to make history as they travel to NZ to play the Blues in a knockout semi-final
The Brumbies are facing their biggest challenge of the season, travelling to Auckland to play the Blues at home in a knockout semi-final on Friday. No Australian team has ever won a final in New Zealand, but it is only adding fuel to the Brumbies fire.
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00:00The history books are against them. It's been more than a decade since the Brumbies have
00:06won at Eden Park, which is commonly referred to as the Australian Rugby Graveyard. But
00:12history doesn't always have to repeat itself, and that's the mantra the Brumbies are taking
00:16in to this game.
00:17We know that that's coming, but we also know more importantly what we're going to bring.
00:21It doesn't get any bigger than this.
00:22The Blues are best known for their physicality, particularly in the scrum, which was an area
00:27of weakness for the Brumbies last week against the Highlanders.
00:30The majority of their game comes through their forwards, so a big forward pack, probably
00:35the biggest forward pack in the competition.
00:36They've been sort of the benchmark team physically, and they impose themselves on every game they
00:41play.
00:42But in good news, James Slipper makes his return from injury, bolstering the Brumbies'
00:46front row stocks.
00:47He's one of our most experienced players, and you need experienced players in finals
00:51footings.
00:52Larcombe has also selected six forwards on the bench to give the side a boost at the
00:55back end of the game.
00:56Earlier in the season, the Brumbies had their biggest loss to the Blues, going down 46 points
01:02to seven.
01:03But since then, the ACT side has gone on to win seven straight games.
01:07It was a bit of a wake-up call for us.
01:10Physicality was really down last time we versed them.
01:12If the Brumbies win, and the Hurricanes lose to the Chiefs on Saturday night, then the
01:17ACT side will play in the grand final at Canberra Stadium next week.
01:21We've obviously got our eyes on the prize, but before getting there, we've got to get
01:25over this hurdle, and then we take our chances.
01:29A real possibility, with one big opponent in their way.