Cubelli's understudy 'ready to whack him'
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It will be a case of the understudy versus the star when Brumbies take on the Jaguares at the Jose Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires this weekend.
Joe Powell will go head to head with former Brumby and Argentina international Tomas Cubelli during the semifinal.
The 25-year-old, who was Cubelli’s back-up for two years, will have a chance to show how he has evolved since taking over the No.9 jersey.
Thus far, the scrumhalf has had a noteworthy season in the Brumbies jersey and a good performance against the 69 Test veteran Cubelli will certainly enhance his Wallabies selection credentials when the Brumbies take on Jaguares for a spot in the final.
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“I love playing against Tomas,” Powell told the Canberra times.
“He was great for the Brumbies when he was [in Canberra] and all the boys like him, but I’m sure we’re ready to whack him as well.
“The way he runs the ball and backs himself on the field, he’s got that flair about him and he’ll try anything, he definitely helped me out with those sorts of things,” he added.
Aside from Powell, the Brumbies team’s success could boost the international hopes of several fringe Wallabies like Tom Banks, Henry Speight and Toni Pulu.
Banks is regarded as one of the leading candidates to be Australia’s fullback replacement for Israel Folau.
While other Brumbies duo captain Christian Lealiifano and James Slipper are trying to relaunch their respective Wallabies careers.
However, with good momentum on their side, the Brumbies are solely focused on the massive task at hand.
A win will extend their winning streak to nine games and end potentially end a 15-year Super Rugby title drought.
“To be honest we haven’t really been thinking too far ahead,” Powell said.
“Those things [winning Super Rugby] are in the back of everyone’s mind and we obviously want to do it, so we’ll see what happens from here.
“There’s a really good feeling around the place at the moment. I can’t put my finger on it, we went through some tough times at the start of the season but we’re reaping the rewards of hard work.”
Source: Canberra times
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