Gits returns (and George trains hard)

The CA Brumbies have announced an unchanged lineup for their clash against the Lions. The Brumbies have returned to Canberra after 3 games away in Perth and South Africa and are looking to put forward a good showing in their first home game of the 2010 season. The game also marks the return of Justin Harrison and Matt Giteau to Canberra for their second stint with the Brumbies.

The team has trained well this week with a shortened preparation and has shaken off the effects of jet lag and lingering stomach illnesses that some players had picked up. The Brumbies will be looking to carry some momentum gained in last weeks win into this game against an opposition that could prove tricky after some interesting results so far this season.

The Brumbies aren’t going to take the Lions lightly and won’t try for anything elaborate in a game that is expected to be played in wet conditions. Brumbies Captain Stephen Hoiles said the idea of a bonus point hasn’t been spoken about and won’t be decided upon until the game pans out. This game is one the Brumbies should target for a bonus point as they commence a favorable home draw period. Hopefully in the long run the lack of bonus points won’t count against them at the end of the season as it has done in the past. One thing they will have to improve is theor discipline which was at times better in last weeks games but Hoiles conceded they will have to adjust to the breakdown interpretations as the referees were unlikely to back down on their tough stance in the opening rounds.

The Lions are coming off a 33-18 loss against the Hurricanes in which they weren’t totally disgraced and before that were involved in one of the most ridiculous games ever in the history of Super Rugby,  a 72-65 loss to the Chiefs. Lions coach Dick Muir has rotated his squad for this match with 8 changes in total which poses the question of which Lions team will turn up, so it could be a wait and see proposition.

The absence of Carlos Spencer, due to injury, may take away some their attacking flair, but his replacement Burton Francis, is more than capable of filling in. Fullback Earl Rose has been dropped to the bench and makes way for Michael Killian in what some observers believe is a positive move. Lions fans will hope that the team that takes to the field will remember to tackle, otherwise it could get ugly.

In other news, the Brumbies have signed lock Ben Hand to a 2 year contract extension. Hand had offers from both Australian and overseas teams but was never really interested in another team. When asked whether this would be his last contract as he would be turning 30 at the conclusion of the new deal, Hand responded that he would continue for as long as possible with Justin Harrison as his inspiration.

The curtain raiser sees the Brumby Runners take on the Australian Barbarians. The Barbarians will predominately be made up of Sydney club rugby players but will be joined by several Western Force players including Keiran Longbottom, Luke Jones, Stefano Hunt, Joelin Rapana and Mark Sawnepoel as the Force have the bye this round.