Smith poised for Brumbies' record

SYDNEY (AFP) –

George Smith of the Brumbies (R) itries to avoid a tackle from Anton Bressler of the Sharks during their Super 15 match at the Kings Park Rugby Stadium in Durban on March 16, 2013. Smith, in the sights of Wallaby coach Robbie Deans for the British and Irish Lions series, is set to break the ACT Brumbies record for most caps against the Canterbury Crusaders on Sunday.

George Smith, in the sights of Wallaby coach Robbie Deans for the British and Irish Lions series, is set to break the ACT Brumbies record for most caps against the Canterbury Crusaders on Sunday.

The 32-year-old flanker is lining up for his 137th game for the Super Rugby frontrunners, which will break the record set by former Wallaby skipper George Gregan.

Smith played in three Super Rugby finals earlier in his career against the Crusaders, with the Kiwis winning the title in 2000 and 2002.

The Brumbies, under former Springbok World Cup winning coach Jake White, have been the form team this season with only one defeat in 10 games, while the seven-time champion Crusaders are fourth in the New Zealand conference with a 4-4 record.

“To pass George Gregan, who has been a close friend and also a mentor of mine, I’m very pleased to reach this milestone,” Smith said.

“My last game with the Brumbies before coming back (this year) was against the Crusaders in Christchurch and I didn’t achieve that last goal that I wanted to get, and it was a loss, so I’d like to get a win against them.”

Smith’s form this season has made him the leading contender for the Wallabies’ openside flanker spot against the Lions in June and July.

Dan Carter of the Canterbury Crusaders kicks a conversion during a Super 15 match against South Africa’s Northern Bulls at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on March 16, 2013. The Crusaders will be bolstered Sunday by the return to the starting lineup of All Black ace Carter, who missed six weeks through the birth of his son and injury

The Crusaders will be bolstered by the return to the starting lineup of All Black ace Dan Carter, who missed six weeks through the birth of his son and injury.

Carter is among five changes by coach Todd Blackadder with World Cup winning All Black Israel Dagg dropped to the bench.

Defending champions Waikato Chiefs will be without injury-prone All Blacks centre Richard Kahui for Friday’s match with the Rebels in Melbourne.

Kahui aggravated the same shoulder that required an operation and sidelined him for 10 months, casting doubt over the rest of his season with the Chiefs, who are leading the New Zealand conference and are second overall to the Brumbies.

Troubled Wallaby Kurtley Beale will return to the Rebels’ bench after missing six weeks with a broken hand and club disciplinary action for punching two teammates following Melbourne’s 64-7 loss to the Sharks in Durban.

South African conference leaders Northern Bulls have flanker Deon Stegmann, fullback Jurgen Visser and midfielder Wynand Olivier back from injury for Saturday’s home match with the Wellington Hurricanes.

Australian Wallabies’ fly half Kurtley Beale runs through a tackle by Argentinian wing Horacio Agulla at Gigante de Arroyito stadium in Rosario, Santa Fe, last year. Beale will return to the Rebels’ bench Sunday after missing six weeks with a broken hand and club disciplinary action

Coach Frans Ludeke said he was looking for a solid performance ahead of the team’s bye next week.

“They are a very dangerous side when there is broken field and open play, so we need to make sure we dominate territory and possession and win the gain line battle,” Ludeke said.

Queensland Reds have overhauled their front row for Saturday’s Australian derby with the Western Force in Perth.

Albert Anae will make his first start as a prop with Wallaby James Slipper on the bench while 98-game veteran Greg Holmes will pack down at tighthead.

Dom Shipperley also comes in for injured winger Rod Davies, while flanker Beau Robinson gets his first opportunity of the year.

“Managing player workloads are something you must be conscious of if you are going to be successful over the duration of the competition and one area we pride ourselves on is our depth,” Reds head coach Ewen McKenzie said.

The Reds have not lost since their defeat to the Force in round five, with four wins and a draw since putting McKenzie’s side just three competition points behind the Brumbies.

In other games, the Auckland Blues face South Africa’s Western Stormers in Albany, the NSW Waratahs are away to the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth and the Otago Highlanders host the Coastal Sharks in Dunedin, with the Central Cheetahs having the bye.