The return of flyhalf Matt Toomua and livewire fullback Jesse Mogg couldn’t be timed any better for the Brumbies, with coach Jake White saying his kickers will need to be on-song to avoid the dangerous counter-attacking of the Highlanders’ back three in Dunedin on Friday.
White has identified Kade Poki, Hosea Gear and Ben Smith as the dangermen to look out for in their Super Rugby clash under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium.
It will be a big test for the Brumbies’ kicking duo who, along with halfback Nic White, make the Brumbies the only team with three players in the top 15 for most kick metres this year.
“The Highlanders have kicked the ball less than any other team so there’s obviously a style that they’re trying,” White said.
“We’ve got to make sure we try and counter them from playing the style they want to play.
“It means that when you do kick, you’ve got to kick accurately.”
Poki, Smith and Gear have found more open space than any other back three in the competition with 23 line breaks between them.
Yet the Brumbies outside backs are no slouches, with Joe Tomane, Henry Speight and breakthrough fullback Mogg scoring more tries (10) than any other trio this year and one more than the Highlanders.
“Everyone knows from an opposition’s point of view just how talented (Mogg) is so there’s obviously an added threat at the back just having him on the field,” White said of Mogg’s return from a shoulder injury.
Both sides are looking to bounce back from disappointing performances, with the Brumbies held to a 28-28 draw against the Kings and a 29-18 loss to the Blues for the Highlanders.
Winless this season, Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph has finally lost his patience with his inside backs.
All Blacks Aaron Smith and Colin Slade have surprisingly been dropped to the bench for two debutants – Japanese halfback Fumiaki Tanaka and five-eighth Hayden Parker – while Phil Burleigh moves to outside centre for Jason Emery.
Other changes include the return of Poki from a rib injury, prop Maafu Fia into the front row for Chris King and debutant TJ Ioane at blindside flanker.
Not to be outdone, the Brumbies have made six run-on changes of their own.
Robbie Coleman makes way for Mogg at fullback, Pat McCabe and outside centre Tevita Kuridrani drop to the bench for Toomua and Andrew Smith, with Christian Lealiifano sliding out to inside centre.
In the forwards, debutant blindside flanker Jordan Smiler comes in for No.8 Fotu Auelua in the backrow, stalwart Stephen Moore replaces Siliva Siliva at hooker and Sam Carter moves to lock for Etienne Oosthuizen.
