Christian Lealiifano returns to the scene of his missed conversion nightmare as Australia’s ACT Brumbies bid to stay alive in the Super Rugby against South
Africa’s Western Stormers in the play-offs.
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Lealiifano plays his 100th game for the Brumbies in Cape Town where he missed a potential match-winning conversion in last month’s loss to the Stormers.
In the other elimination game, the Otago Highlanders will bank on their home ground dominance to knock out twice champions Waikato Chiefs in an all-New Zealand showdown.
The Brumbies missed out on crucial competition points when Lealiifano fluffed a simple try conversion with eight minutes left before the Stormers went on to win 25-24.
The South African media have this week been reminding the fly-half about his off-target kick.
Stephen Larkham has named an unchanged Brumbies starting line-up to face the Stormers. http://t.co/yijInxZRKJ pic.twitter.com/7a2tS7Mqfv
— Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) June 18, 2015
“I wouldn’t say redemption. I haven’t thought about that kick until you just asked me,” Lealiifano said.
“I’ve taken every game as if it’s going to be my last, so playing 100 games is a special time. I’m going to give the team as much as I can and hopefully we can get the result.”
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham backed Lealiifano to rise to the occasion and make amends for that miss.
“He’s working very hard at it and that’s what gives everyone confidence around him,” Larkham said.
“Particularly since that miss, Christian has spent more time in training practising his conversions and penalty kicks.
“I think we saw a bit of a turnaround over the last month with his goal-kicking.”
Wallaby flanker David Pocock is on track to play for the Brumbies, but playmaker Matt Toomua remains in doubt.
The Stormers are South Africa’s last hope for Super 15 glory this season after topping the national conference by three points from the Golden Lions but with the least competition points of all the six play-off teams.
Much depends on flanker Siya Kolisi in the absence of captain Duane Vermeulen, and he will have to compete strongly at the breakdown against Pocock.
The birthday boy was all smiles following today’s Captain’s Run at Newlands. Happy 30th birthday Jordan Smiler. pic.twitter.com/KDhgtQCFld
— Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) June 19, 2015
Meanwhile, The Highlanders, the second-best Kiwi team behind tearaway leaders Wellington Hurricanes, are strengthened by the return from injury of No8 Nasi Manu, All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa and lock Mark Reddish.
“Nasi’s a real spiritual leader for us,” scrum-half Aaron Smith said. “He does a lot of key talking to the big boys especially.
“He sets the mood with the way he plays, he’s a pretty easy man to follow.”
The Wellington Hurricanes and defending champions NSW Waratahs face the qualifier winners in the following week’s semi-finals.
