The Brumbies is the only team in the Aussie conference that actually have a chance of making the playoffs. They are playing a Highlanders team that last week still were rusty which will be gone this game. This is going to be a game of two very different teams the Brumbies who this season did change a bit and started playing with their backline is still a very forward dominated team and they will want to dominate the forward battle. The Highlanders on the other hand does have a good forward pack but their strength lies in their very dangerous and attack minded backline.
Key match-ups:
Pete Samu vs Shannon Frizell: These two are both running flankers and will look to carry the ball up hard and get their team over the advantage line. Shannon who will want to impress the All Black selectors will be a though player to defend against and he will also be a formidable defender to get past. Pete is very much the same type of player and I believe that the one of them that comes up trumps in this battle will help his team walk away with the “W”
Joe Powell vs Aaron Smith: Joe has been the best Aussie halfback this far in the comp and and he looks very lively every time he gets the ball. He is up against one of the best in the business in Aaron who will want to improve on his game of last week. Aaron is a very great player and well if he is on his game there is no one better in the business.
Teams:
| Starting XV | ||
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Banks | 15 | Josh McKay |
| Solomone Kata | 14 | Sio Tomkinson |
| Tevita Kuridrani | 13 | Rob Thompson |
| Irae Simone | 12 | Josh Ioane |
| Tom Wright | 11 | Jona Nareki |
| Noah Lolesio | 10 | Mitch Hunt |
| Joe Powell | 9 | Aaron Smith |
| James Slipper | 1 | Ayden Johnstone |
| Folau Fainga’a | 2 | Liam Coltman |
| Allan Alaalatoa | 3 | Siate Tokolahi |
| Darcy Swain | 4 | Jesse Parete |
| Murray Douglas | 5 | Josh Dickson |
| Rob Valetini | 6 | Shannon Frizell |
| Will Miller | 7 | James Lentjes |
| Pete Samu | 8 | Marino Mikaele Tu’u |
| Bench | ||
| Connal McInerney | 16 | Ash Dixon |
| Scott Sio | 17 | Dan Lienert-Brown |
| Thomas Ross | 18 | Conan O’Donnell |
| Cadeyrn Neville | 19 | Jack Whetton |
| Lachlan McCaffrey | 20 | Dillon Hunt |
| Ryan Lonergan | 21 | Kayne Hammington |
| Len Ikitau | 22 | Michael Collins |
| Andy Muirhead | 23 | Teariki Ben-Nicholas |
My prediction:
I believe that the Highlanders will be able to get the win and get their season of and running.
Rugby dissect 
All conference winners actually make the playoffs so obviously one Ausie team will make it
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I know but I say that they won’t just make it on being a conference winner they will make it if it was based on points as well
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