Brumbies get on with life without Pocock

Fri, Feb 22, 2019, 7:35 AM
AAP
by AAP
Brumbies skipper Christian Leali'ifano says his side is focused on making the most of attacking opportunities ahead of tomorrow night's showdown with the Chiefs. While the playmaker also wary of a Chiefs side motivated by centurion Brodie Retallick.

No David Pocock, no worries.

That's the attitude the Brumbies are taking into their vital Super Rugby clash with the Chiefs at GIO Stadium on Saturday.

The ACT franchise's season-opening loss to the Melbourne Rebels last week was soured further by star Wallaby Pocock going off concussed after five minutes.

The ace openside flanker wasn't the only casualty from the 34-27 loss either, with wingers Henry Speight (hip) and Toni Pulu (cheekbone) also to miss the round two battle.

But Lealiifano says the team has genuine belief in replacements Tom Cusack, Chance Peni and Andy Muirhead.


"We've spoken a lot through the pre-season about the depth of our squad," he told reporters on Friday.

"It's not ideal to get opportunities pretty early but it's still good guys get to put up their hand to play.

"That's the beauty of it, you see the guys work day in, day out and it gives you heaps of confidence in their ability."

Cusack will slot into Pocock's No.7 jersey while rugby league convert Peni comes in for his first top-flight match since April after serving 13 games of suspension for two separate lifting tackles.

The Brumbies will need everything to go right to secure their first win against the Chiefs since 2014 and avoid slumping to 0-2.


It won't get any easier either as Dan McKellar's team play the Hurricanes in New Zealand next week before fierce Australian derbies against the Rebels (away) and the NSW Waratahs.

The Hamilton-based Chiefs will bring extra motivation to Canberra as captain Brodie Retallick plays his 100th Super Rugby game.

All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie will return from an ankle injury that ruled him out of the Chiefs' 30-27 loss to the Highlanders last week.

McKenzie starred in the Chiefs' last appearance at GIO Stadium, scoring 23 points in a comfortable victory over the Brumbies in 2017.

"He's obviously a really electric player and a lot happens when he touches the footy so it's about limiting his opportunities," Lealiifano said

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