Brumbies coach Jake White says the lowly-placed Lions are a much better side than their Super Rugby record suggests and expects the South African outfit to come out firing in their last home match before a lengthy tour abroad.
The Australian conference leaders will start as clear favourites against the wooden spoon contenders in Saturday morning’s (AEST) clash at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park, but White is clearly not a fan of popular thinking.
He’s warned against underestimating the injury-plagued Lions, who’ve claimed just one victory so far this season despite coming close in matches against in-form teams such as the Stormers and the Hurricanes.
“The reality is they’ve been unlucky,” White said.
“They’ve had a bit of injuries which have caused some concerns for them as well, especially with their lineouts, but they’re not as weak as everyone’s making them out to be.
“They’ve had a rest (with the bye), they’ve had time to regroup and they need to have the pressure released because all the negativity week in and week out doesn’t help.
“I’m expecting them to be a recharged team.”
The Lions, who head to New Zealand and Australia for a month after the game, are one spot from the bottom of the overall ladder and have lost six straight after posting their lone victory at home against the Cheetahs in week one.
A string of injuries to their second-rowers means they’ll tellingly field their fifth lock combination against the Brumbies and their coach John Mitchell admits having had to put players on the field not yet ready for Super Rugby.
The Brumbies, meanwhile, have crucially lost skipper Ben Mowen with a neck injury, forcing Stephen Moore to take up the captaincy reins in a new-look front-row.
Dan Palmer has been rested to recover from several niggling injuries, pushing Ben Alexander to tighthead, while Ruaidhri Murphy gets his second run-on start of the season at the other side of the scrum.
Peter Kimlin has been brought in at blindside flanker for Mowen, while Leon Power has also been called up in the second-row at the expense of Sam Carter, who will start from the bench.
It’s the Brumbies’ last clash in South Africa and marks a crucial test for the Australian conference leaders, who despite their impressive season so far, have yet to notch a victory on the road.