Week five of the 2013 Super Rugby season sees a clash between two unbeaten sides as the Brumbies take on the Sharks in Durban. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 2.05am AEDT.
The young Brumbies side have been rampant so far this season, clocking wins over the Queensland Reds, the Melbourne Rebels and the NSW Waratah, which has seen them take the top spot on the Super Rugby ladder.
The Canberra side have shown tenacity in their willingness to counter attack from anywhere on the park, with Jesse Mogg standing out as the in-form fullback in the country and one of the best in the competition.
Mogg has scored three tries in three games and will be looking to bring this form with him on the South African tour.
The Sharks have also been impressive with victories over the Cheetahs, Stormers and most recently the Southern Kings.
While they have won all these games they were tryless in their last two matches, causing coach John Plumtree to ask his players to ‘unleash the demon’ he went on to say:
“In this competition, unless you score some tries you are not going to win it and we know that, and we have some time to fix that up,” he said.
“We will get better.”
The Sharks’ forward pack have been dominant this year and will bring their usual abrasive style to the Brumbies and look to enforce their dominance at the collision area.
The Brumbies this week announced that star openside David Pocock will miss the rest of the tournament with a knee injury, rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
This is a mammoth loss but Jake White will be expecting recently returned Wallabies legend George Smith to step in and use all the experience that he has earnt from his 122 Brumbies games.
I see the breakdown being the key to this match and if Smith can turn back the years he may well see himself getting a call up to the Wallabies come Lions time.
I predict this to be a close one with the outcome entirely dependent on the Brumbies coping with immense pressure from the Springbok-studded Sharks pack at the breakdown.
If they can absorb this force and counter well I see the Brumbies getting a win by less than seven.
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
agreed!!!
mikeylives
Guest
I don't see how they made a meal of it. That was a clear pushover try to the Brumbies! Crowd sympathy-call from Kaplan.
dave
Guest
Ha ha. Nice call! Stormers have got reason for nerves now!
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Thanks Rob......kept us insomniacs up to date!!
Two things. Sharks were just pathetically S%%^T The Brumbies were sublime.
bluerose
Guest
Italy won
Andy
Guest
meanwhile England is getting shanked by Wales 27-3. Just under 20min to go. Im glad someone is putting England in their place
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Last update before I check out for the night - the Brumbies have broken Super Rugby history. This is their seventh consecutive win on the road. The Brumbies have two injury concerns as well. White came off early, but it appears that concussion was the cause. I imagine he'll be fit for next week. According to the Canberra Times' Chris Dutton, Mogg's problem was his left shoulder. Possible dislocation there. Let's hope it's nothing too serious.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Looks like White has just suffered from a concussion. Not sure about Mogg, though I might say that it wouldn't surprise me if the news wasn't too good on his account.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Not sure, mate. Endeavouring to find out.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
They won the game in 30, spent 50 just making sure it couldn't be lost. No reason to play too fast and loose.
Sandy
Guest
+1
Schuey
Guest
Thanks Rob
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
80' - the Brumbies put a chip into the corner, and the Sharks are forced to ground it. Scrum Brumbies 5m out, and they have it at te back and are advancing. But they make a meal of it. Who cares, they've won. It's Full Time and the Brumbies have recorded an historic victory in Durban. Thanks for joining me on my iPhone :p Cheers!
Sandy
Guest
Well done Brumbies 29 / 10 great result
atlas
Guest
a 'game of two halves' ?? Brumbies score 3 points in last 45 min of play, all the hard work done first 35min, at halftime looked like they'd reach 50+ too good tonight but I'll hold any world-beating predictions for now
Andy
Guest
just watching the prematch 'show' or what ever you call it between England and Wales. The British broadcast go into overdrive with theses prematch shows. Its like watching a documentary or history lesson of each country
TembaVJ
Roar Guru
Well done Brumbies, dry period over, have a beer. Thanks Rob, back too bed now!
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
75' - the Brumbies have a scrum right in front of the posts and 30m out, but they are penalised! The Sharks kick deep, very deep! Almost to the other 22! But handling errors have cruelled them again, so handling errors have cruelled it for the Sharks again. The Brumbies are back in the attacking half.
hightower
Guest
Can't believe the scoreline, through reading the commentary below is white and Mogg injured, might not be good for next weeks game against the stormers