Form

The Brumbies have seemingly turned the corner in the season and are climbing up the ladder thanks to good wins over the Sharks and Lions on a particularly difficult South African tour.

They go into this match with a winning confidence and the calming influence of veteran playmaker Stephen Larkham leading them around the park.

The Waratahs should have won last week against a near full-strength Crusaders outfit. It just goes to show they can be and probably should have been a potent force in the Super 14 this year.
However, they did still leak six tries so not all their problems are solved, but they will have taken plenty of confidence from last week's close encounter of the rugby kind.

Brumbies utility back Julian Huxley has been simply outstanding in every position he has played this season and is a certified match winner.

Larkham has also been in sparkling form since returning from injury

...while lock Mark Chisholm, props Guy Shepherdson and Nic Henderson and No.8 Stephen Hoiles continue to shine in the pack.

Teenage winger Lachlan Turner* continues his blazing start to his Super rugby career and showed up some quality campaigners last week. Sam Harris played well off the bench and earns his starting spot while Sam Norton-Knight** proved more than useful at flyhalf.
Up front Rocky Elsom is leading the pack along with David Lyons, who is getting back to his peak.