Brumbies, Force will both welcome back key players for likely finals-deciding clash in Canberra
THE Western Force and ACT Brumbies will both welcome back Test cavalry this week ahead of their do-or-die final round clash in Canberra.
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THE Western Force and ACT Brumbies will both welcome back Test cavalry this week ahead of their do-or-die final round clash in Canberra.
But both sides will also be without Wallaby locks for the cutthroat clash, with ACT lock Sam Carter (ankle) no hope to play, and Force hardman Hugh McMeniman facing suspension for foul play.
The two Australian clubs will battle for one spot in the top six after the Force beat the Reds at home on Saturday night, keeping alive their hopes of qualifying for the finals for the first time in club history.
Both clubs are tied on 40 points with the Chiefs, but short of the Kiwi champions being the only one to win with a bonus point, the winner of the Aussie derby will progress with a superior tally of season victories.
Both the Brumbies and the Force are set for timely boosts of key players.
The ACT club, who had a bye at the weekend, expects to have Wallabies Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane and Pat McCabe back on deck after injury, along with centre Andrew Smith and hooker Josh Mann-Rea.
Carter, who injured his ankle on debut for the Wallabies against France, was hoped to be ready for this game but he’ll be sidelined.
The Force, too, will return to almost full-strength with ex-All Black halfback Alby Mathewson due to return from a hip injury that forced him to miss the Reds win.
Tough flanker Chris Alcock will also be available for selection for the first time since round seven, when he injured a shoulder.
Five-eighth Sias Ebersohn is also a chance of returning from a biceps injury that also ruled him out of the Reds clash.
Originally published as Brumbies, Force will both welcome back key players for likely finals-deciding clash in Canberra
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