19 July 2013

Rathbone, Smith and White back for the Brumbies date with destiny

| johnboy
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The Brumbies have named their side for Sunday’s blockbuster final against the tournament entertainers the Cheetahs at Canberra Stadium:

Seasoned campaigners George Smith and Clyde Rathbone make a return to the University of Canberra Brumbies starting XV this Sunday in the side’s first finals appearance in nine years.

Both players returned to the Brumbies for an unlikely finals appearance in 2013, Rathbone from retirement and Smith from Japan.

Having won a combined three Super Rugby titles between them, Rathbone and Smith add big game know-how to a young Brumbies team with only two other players, Ben Mowen and Ian Prior, having experienced play-off rugby with other clubs.

With Rathbone starting, Tomane moves to the bench while Robbie Coleman drops out of the 22-man squad. Colby Faingaa also slides to the bench with Smith taking the starting No. 7 jersey.

Also returning to the starting side for the first time since injuring his shoulder against the Rebels is Nic White, with Ian Prior returning to the bench and Mark Swanepoel out of the 22-man squad.

Here’s the full side:

    University of Canberra Brumbies
    1. Scott Sio
    2. Stephen Moore
    3. Ben Alexander
    4. Scott Fardy
    5. Sam Carter
    6. Peter Kimlin
    7. George Smith
    8. Ben Mowen (c)
    9. Nic White
    10. Matt Toomua
    11. Clyde Rathbone
    12. Christian Lealiifano
    13. Tevita Kuridrani
    14. Henry Speight
    15. Jesse Mogg

    Replacements
    16. Siliva Siliva
    17. Ruan Smith
    18. Fotu Auelua
    19. Colby Faingaa
    20. Ian Prior
    21. Andrew Smith
    22. Joe Tomane

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Or maybe they think Rathbone is a better defensive option? Either that or he’s there to sledge the Cheetahs players in Afrikaans.

CrocodileGandhi2:15 pm 19 Jul 13

You would have to think that Tomane is carrying injury for Rathbone to be called in. I like Rathbone as much as the next person, but I wouldn’t rely on him to provide the spark that is sometimes needed from an outside back when things aren’t going your team’s way. At least not at his advanced age.

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