The Queensland Reds take on the ACT Brumbies tonight in what should be an easy win for the top of the table Reds, with their entertaining rugby likely to be on show again as they look for thirteen straight at Suncorp. We’ll have live scores and a live blog of the Reds vs Brumbies match.
Will they have any trouble against the Brumbies? The Reds could be forgiven for being tired after coming off some big games, and they are could come in with a lower intensity as they take on the listless Brumbies.
The visitors have skipper Mat Giteau back, but if the Queensland halves of Cooper and Will Genia get quality ball they’ll look to continue their fine form after the nail-biting win over the Crusaders.
The Reds were lucky to get up over the Crusaders with more than a few contentious calls, but that’s rugby.
Giteau and Cooper go head-to-head but it’s unlikely to be quite the same as Cooper vs Carter of last week.
For the Brumbies, it was revealed this week that new coach Jake White didn’t offer Pat Phibbs a new contract, and the halfback will be looking for an inspired performance to show his talents to prospective teams. Henry Vanderglas has been added to the bench and he could offer something, but it’s difficult to see where the Brumbies have any edge over the Reds as a team.
The Reds have lost ball scavenger Beau Robinson (elbow) and have never beaten the ACT side in Brisbane, but the Brumbies haven’t improved after Tony Rea’s now famous spray. That record is likely to broken by the rampaging Reds by 15+ points.
TAB Sportsbet: Reds $1.10 Brumbies $7.00
The Reds line-up:
1. Ben Daley 2. Saia Faingaa 3. James Slipper 4. Rob Simmons 5. James Horwill 6. Scott Higginbotham 7. Ben Coridas 8. Radike Samo 9. Will Genia 10. Quade Cooper 11. Digby Ioane 12. Ben Tapuai 13. Anthony Faingaa 14. Luke Morahan 15. Ben Lucas Bench 16. James Hanson 17. Greg Holmes 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison 19. Jake Schatz 20. Ian Prior 21. Will Chambers 22. Dom Shipperley
The Brumbies line-up:
1. Jono Owen 2. Stephen Moore 3. Ben Alexander 4. Ben Hand 5. Mark Chisholm 6. Mitchell Chapman 7. Julian Salvi 8. Ita Vaea 9. Patrick Phibbs 10. Matt Giteau 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper 12. Christian Lealiifano 13. Tyrone Smith 14. Henry Speight 15. Pat McCabe Bench: 16. Anthony Hegarty 17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa 18. Peter Kimlin 19. Henry Vanderglas 20. Nic White 21. Robbie Coleman 22. Andrew Smith
Queensland Reds v Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Kickoff is at 7.40pm.
Head to Head: Played 17 Reds 2 Brumbies 15
Last clash: Round 3 2011 – Reds 31 Brumbies 25 at Canberra Stadium
Capital
Guest
Good effort on the blog PJ
Kane
Guest
I think he done the opposite why try and help out the reds? they did no favors to the brumbies in the first game? I take it you also think that stephen moore played his way out of the world cup squad as he had a blinder, when he should have rolled over and let the reds walk over them to get the win and four try bonus? This is rugby, you play for yourself and your team not for the opposition.
Nick_KIA
Guest
Actually mostly the Rebels don't come from Melbourne.
Nick_KIA
Guest
Nice far fetched conspiracy theory there.
nicksa
Guest
i was the first 1 to critisize the oz conference because of how weak it was. I ate my words today! well done brumbies, top match played!! very competitive!
Tissot Time
Guest
Champion sides always finish the season strongly. Maybe the Reds have reached their use by date as they were very lethargic tonight. Cooper made more errors than good plays and he was responsible for the final penalty denying the Reds a bonus point. .Well done Brumbies for getting something out of your season. Shame on Moore and well done to Giteau for taking all points on offer. The Force and Chiefs will not be easy games so we all wait in anticipation to see if the Reds are the real deal or just also ran pretenders. I watch the momentum being generated by the Bulls late in the season as they have the tight game needed in finals rugby. Interesting weeks ahead...bring it on.
sittingbison
Guest
Mate you are dreaming they should have beaten the Force twice, they were so lucky to even get the draw they should have got a Saturday Lotto ticket
Ben C
Guest
"The Rebels come from Melbourne." Gold!!
Big Steve
Guest
Did anyone else see Moore ask hits to kick it out so the reds got a bonus point and Gita tell him "f off I'm the captain". The loo on his face when he kicked was sickening. Why would he do that to another oz team. Kicking it out was a safer option, in case the kick didn't make it or go dead. Did gits just paly himslf out of a world cup squad soot fro. A team harmony point of view! The look horwil and moore had while he kicked it was amazing.
Chris
Guest
Fair to say the Brumbies are the Reds bogey team. They have now played 18 times and the Reds have NEVER scored more tries. 22 tries to 5 the last 5 meetings.
Cattledog
Guest
Not enough to be cheering for them:) But enough to make the Reds loss more palatable:)
p.Tah
Guest
Go Cheetahs!!!
BlackWave
Guest
Brumbies were paying $7 for the win..............How much did you have on them?!
p.Tah
Guest
Actually I did pick this result... But I also thought the Rebels would win this week. I always pick a long shot so the following Monday I can pretend I'm some sort of soothsayer... Most Mondays I'm embarrassingly wrong but not this Monday folks! I'll be walking into work with my head held high saying 'how about those Brumbies... Who would have thought they'd beat the Reds... Oh yeah... I did. Stop looking at me.. You're not worthy... Now please move along.' I can't wait for Monday. It's going to be awesome...
Cattledog
Guest
Really was punishing defence from the Brumbies that rattled the Reds. Any word on how Digby is?
Cattledog
Guest
Any of the sides can beat the others at any stage. It was never going to be an easy game for the Reds. Glad I got some dollars on the Brumbies.:) ...great odds, but only to get the Reds over the line, of course...oh well. Chiefs beat the Blues also, so it happens. Now for the Cheetahs to show up the Sharks...
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
I agree, I had a sneaking suspicion that the Reds might play like that. they have had some tough weeks. They'll bounce back, but who was that Brumbies side?
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
Very Funny! I agree.
Capital
Guest
Well I didn't pick it - the Brumbies pack stepped up and played as a unit for the first time this year. Great effort by the pack, backrow, Chapman was excellent. Moore and Alexander as usual did the hard work. And Phibbs was excellent all night, a great match - he set the tone for the match. Well done Brumbies, but very disappointed with Reds - flat, didn't adjust, bad options and looking for easy answers - the miralce, not building phases against a good defence.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Each of the Aussie sides have something of a reputation. The Reds fall off just when you have high hopes for them. The Brumbies only play well when it annoys you. The Waratah's are always close to there without being there. The Force are chokers. The Rebels come from Melbourne.