- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Match Result
What can you say? That certainly wasn’t one for the ages! A scrappy affair in Melbourne compounded by the dampness of the pitch. One highlight was the Brumbies’ rolling maul which looked dangerous every time they were in the Rebels’ 22.
No real standouts in this game McMahon got through a mountain of work with 15 runs for the game, while Butler was superb in the maul for the Brumbies. Brumbies in the end lucky to get away with the win as the Rebels came hard at the end of the game. The Rebels have improved and the rest of the competition should be on notice not to take them easy.
In the end it’s the Brumbies 20 defeating the Rebels 15.
Match preview
The Brumbies will be looking to atone for a heart-stopping loss to the Chiefs in New Zealand last week, while the Rebels show continuing improvement. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:20pm (AEDT).
It was oh-so close for the Brumbies last week, and they look one of the more dangerous franchises in the early stages of 2015.
Coach Stephen Larkham has made the tough call to move Robbie Coleman into the fullback position and it has worked wonders.
In week one the Brumbies couldn’t stop scoring tries, and while last week was a little tougher, with just two tries shared between the two teams, the Brumbies could get going again in Melbourne this week.
Last week Nic White’s questionable tactics, turning down a number of chances to get points on the board by opting to go for touch in search of tries, proved costly as Aaron Cruden kicked a penalty after the siren to give the Chiefs victory. But many seasoned rugby fans were scratching their heads as the Brumbies could’ve easily been up by at least a try.
One way of explaining it could be that the Brumbies’ kicking last season was poor but Christian Lealiifano seemed to find his groove in Round 1, so we may see a different approach this week.
The Rebels started well against the Waratahs last week and at stages looked like stealing the game, but some Kurtley Beale magic was enough to win the Waratahs the day.
Lopeti Timani has already been labelled as a World Cup bolter by The Roar’s own Brett McKay and he has been a great addition to this Rebels side. Another handy addition has been the experience of Mike Harris, who nailed all his conversions last week.
I expect this game to be won and lost in the forwards, the Rebels need to be able to stop the Brumbies forwards from allowing the Brumbies quick ball to their backline. If they can do that and play similarly to last week then this game is going to be a cracking encounter.
Prediction
The Brumbies to be too classy in this one.
Brumbies by 10.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.