The Auckland Blues are bracing for the backlash of a fired-up ACT Brumbies side which has been "eating raw meat all week" in a bid to end New Zealand's trans-Tasman dominance.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the Brumbies will have to do it without Wallabies prop Scott Sio, who is facing a stint of at least two months on the sideline after damaging multiple ligaments in his knee.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham is expected to make minimal changes to his side to play the injury-ravaged Blues, with Nic Mayhew to replace Sio and while there will likely be another back-line rotation.
Sio met with a specialist on Thursday after damaging the patellar and medial ligaments, with the Test loosehead set to miss the Wallabies' mid-year series.
It is hoped Sio will be back in time to play a role in the Brumbies' bid for a Super Rugby title, but the timeframe for his recovery is uncertain.
The Blues are dealing with their own injury woes, losing hardman Jerome Kaino to a knee problem while Ihaia West and Rene Ranger will also be missing.
New Zealand teams have won the first 14 derbies against Australian sides this year, but former All Blacks analyst and Blues assistant Alistair Rogers says the gap is closer than many believe.
The Brumbies were thumped 56-21 by the Wellington Hurricanes last week despite leading by seven points at half-time.
"When we've got to travel to Australia, it's much closer and Canberra is always a tough place to go," Rogers said.
"The Brumbies would have been eating raw meat all week and waiting for us to come over. We're under no illusions of how tough the task is.
"We've got a couple of injuries, but this competition is a squad effort and you need that to progress. It's just a great opportunity for other guys to step up."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 10
Sunday: ACT Brumbies v Auckland Blues at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Blues team: 15. Michael Collins, 14. Matt Duffie, 13. George Moala, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Rieko Ioane, 10. Piers Francis, 9. Augustine Pulu, 8. Akira Ioane, 7. Blake Gibson, 6. Steven Luatua, 5. Scott Scrafton, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 2. James Parsons, 1. Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: 16. Matt Moulds, 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Leighton Price, 20. Murphy Taramai, 21. Billy Guyton, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. Melani Nanai.
