The ACT Brumbies will add club rugby reinforcements to their squad for the biggest test of their season so far as they chase a drought-breaking win in New Zealand on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Tuggeranong Vikings flanker Michael Oakman-Hunt will join the Brumbies squad on a short-term contract after Lachlan McCaffrey dislocated his elbow in a momentum-changing win last weekend.
Scans have cleared McCaffrey of a fracture or major structural damage, but the hard-working back-rower is still expected to miss between four and six weeks of the Super Rugby season.
McCaffrey's absence, Rob Valetini's ongoing recovery from knee surgery and a Lolo Fakaosilea shoulder injury prompted coach Dan McKellar to call Oakman-Hunt on Sunday and offer a Super Rugby opportunity.
Oakman-Hunt, 25, could be thrown into a daunting trans-Tasman cauldron this weekend as the Brumbies aim to end Australian rugby's 33-game losing streak against Kiwi opponents.
The clash against the Otago Highlanders in Dunedin will be the Brumbies' first game against a New Zealand side this year.
They haven't beaten a New Zealand team since round one of the 2016 season, but McKellar is confident the momentum gained in a 45-21 win against the Queensland Reds can help turn the tide.
"Lachie has been such a good addition to our team, he's in our leadership group and has been playing good footy so we just hope he's back sooner rather than later," McKellar said.
"They're a good side, we're a good side as well. There will be 23 players and eight or nine staff will go over there and think we can get a result.
"It's a challenge for us. But one we're excited about and won we think we can conquer."
Many had hoped Australian teams would close the gap this year, but the only trans-Tasman match of the season saw the Wellington Hurricanes thump Australia's highest ranked team, the Melbourne Rebels, 50-19.
The Brumbies were Australian team to get closest to ending the drought last year, losing three of their five New Zealand games by six points or less. They also beat the Highlanders when the teams last met in Dunedin in 2009.
The good news is they roared back to life with a dominant seven-try display against the Reds. It was the first signs of life after an attacking overhaul in the off-season and one they hope bodes well against Kiwi teams.
They are still working out the kinks, falling behind 15-0 in the opening exchanges against the Reds. But their second-half effort lifted them to their biggest comeback since since 2009.
"We really wanted to make a point ... we felt like we turned it on in the second half," said co-captain Sam Carter.
"Yeah, it was a good win. But at the same time we're not world beaters. We've got a lot to work on.
"It's going to be tough over in New Zealand, but I know if we play the way we did against the Reds we can really test them and get a good result.
"We won't look at the records or anything like that. I've got no doubt there will be a lot on the line and they'll be up for it as well."
McCaffrey, a rugby journeyman, had started in every game for the Brumbies this year and established himself as a leader in his Australian comeback season following a stint in Europe.
Tom Cusack is set to be given an opportunity to shift into McCaffrey's blindside flanker role, with Oakman-Hunt a contender for a bench spot.
"I'm fortunate enough to have versatility as part of my game and you take any opportunity that comes your way," Cusack said.
"No New Zealand team is easy to beat. We want to get better through the season and hopefully we took a big step forward [in the win] against the Reds. It's a big task ahead of us, but we've got good confidence."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND NINE
Saturday: Otago Highlanders v ACT Brumbies at Forsyth Barr Stadium, 5.35pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.
