The Reds host the Brumbies at Suncorp in an important match considering the makeup of the Australian conference. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm (AEST).
The Brumbies are coming off a solid, grinding performance against the Blues last week and now lead the Australian conference on 21 points.
Last week saw the Reds stumble at home against the Force – a team that become one of their main rivals in recent years. The loss has left them on 15 points and down in fourth on the ladder in the conference.
The Reds are not alone in losing to a less fancied opponent, as the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Rebels two weeks ago.
Both teams have also played seven matches whereas the Rebels, Force and Waratahs have only played six. This means the Reds really need to win tonight to both halt the Brumbies gains at the top and to narrow the gap to the teams with a game in hand.
A loss for the Reds would make getting into the finals a very difficult prospect and would be the second loss to the Brumbies this year.
The Brumbies were strong in the forwards last week and welcome back Stephen Moore after a rest. He’ll be relied upon as some of the back five are relatively inexperienced.
Tom Staniforth is getting his debut and will start at second row – he is effectively a barman rather than a professional rugby player right now. Jarrad Butler and Jordan Smiler are also inexperienced in the back row.
The back row of the Reds – Jake Schatz, Beau Robinson and Eddie Quirk – has been criticised for not being dominant enough both around the park and in the breakdown. This week they’ll be looking to assert their game plan and tempo over their relatively inexperienced counterparts.
If there was a chance for Matt Toomua to steal the Wallabies number 10 jersey, tonight would be a great night to stand out. He’ll face off against Quade Cooper, who has been good this year despite not receiving as much attention as usual. The contrasting styles will be exciting to watch.
As will the battle between Will Genia and Nic White at the base of the ruck. The incumbent and sometimes masterful Genia and the relentless White do so much of the directing and tempo setting for their respective sides.
It all bodes well for an exciting match.
Don’t forget to log on here from 7.30pm for live scores, commentary and a chance to have your say!
Jono
Guest
They weren't deliberate knock downs, but attempted intercepts. Or at least that is what has to be inferred by the ref not penalising the Brumbies.
LT18
Guest
So gutted. Actually cried after this. GO THE MIGHTY REDS! I'll still support youse.
Pete
Guest
I agree handles there is a blurred line at the ruck in most of these incidents. Thats why most of them just get ignored. If it had happened that moore was being held and the reds had scored then it most likely would have incurred a penalty and the try would have been disallowed. But that never happened so I dont see the penalty or some say yellow card there. Also since when where the reds on a warning about holding players at the ruck? How many penalties had they received before the quirk penalty. Brumbies defence was solid. But sia fainga was tackled without the ball and genia was tackled in the air and another brumbies player tackled a reds player exactly the same way ant fainga got a penalty for in the first half. They could tackle with impunity it seemed... Brums looked shell shocked and were lucky to win.
Pete
Guest
I dont quite understand this call to yellow card a player holding on at the ruck in attack? Besides there was no consequence to the holding on as Moore never had to make a tackle... and since when do yellow cards cancel each other out????? Both players should have gotten a yellow with that reasoning. Moore had a hold of quirk in the first place imo.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Agreed. My snouts tell me the players are jack of it too and he's lost control of the change room. Carmichael needs to step up here and take control.
Pete
Guest
Im extremely disappointed about the defence of Moore's punch. It's a completely irreprehensible act. When is it ever ok to punch somebody on a rugby field? Players are being held in at the ruck, defenders lying all over the ball, coming in to the ruck from the side and players not releasing. By both sides...
handles
Guest
Well, I need somebody to explain this to me. There is clearly a ruck formed on the tryline, and it is apparent that Quirk is in it. However this line of reasoning suggests that there is some magic line that differentiates Moore - who is allowed to hold onto Quirk, and Quirk, who is apparently not allowed to hold onto Moore. Surely when Moore puts his hand on Quirk he has joined the ruck? And at that point, Quirk must be allowed to bind onto Moore? And while we are on the refereeing decisions - has deliberate knock down become legal? I have seen players yellow carded for it, but last night none were even cautioned. Moore had several, but all the Brumbies were desperate to get their hands on the ball in flight between Genia and Cooper, and Cooper and anybody else.
BenBris
Guest
I agree except in this instance if you watch the replay Moore grabs Quirk which I believe allows quirk to grab moore. Moore then tries to free himself fails and then throws an upper cut. He should be cited and dealt with. That being said I think moore is great and hopefully a few weeks out refreshes him for the finals. Now the reds are done I hope the force and brumbies do well.
Zero Gain
Guest
Your bias is apparent in every single comment you make. Credibility = Nil.
Zero Gain
Guest
Like you "Rob G"' as you are obviously so intelligent with your constant anti Reds, anti QC comments?
Rob G
Guest
Hahaha imagine quade trying to spit out a sentence to the ref. "But bro, they done it heaps and youse aren't doing nothing" You'd be better having someone with an IQ above the number they wear on their back
Red Menace
Guest
When the pushover try was scored the only players that were different in the tight five for both teams was Brumbie Scot Sio was replaced and Holmes Hanson for the Reds. Stephen Moore and Ben Alexander were still in the scrum when the pushover try occurred.
Mapu
Guest
Mapu
Guest
Horwill is a terrible captain as ha gets in the refs ear at the wrong ties normally too early
Rotuma Island
Guest
Brumbies has a very weak 2nd Frontrow.
Tommo
Guest
Dmac byes were worth 4 points last year (each team got an extra 8) this year they're worth 0...
RobC
Roar Guru
Anto, I think the decline started two years ago. Or I should say that they have not kept up with competition. Last year, Reds started to look flat. I thought they would bounce back then after top players came back from injury - but limited result. After 2011, competitors has moved to the next level. Reds, have not - although still very good. They're trying a few new things this year, in terms of technique. Most makes sense, but the changes needed are players: - More experienced and bigger backrow options - A Mortlock type in #13 and/or JOC type (onfield) #12 - A George North / Folau in the Wing - QC's is regaining his step, and foibles. He needs to remove it Reds now have the $ and the brand. They need to find a way of doing this without upsetting the culture
Redsback
Guest
Also, aside from what Pete said and I added to below, he makes a lot of poor tactical decisions. Like going for goal when 6 behind with 10 to play. Best result there is realistically a draw.
Redsback
Guest
That's exactly it. He's like a hothead. He comes across as if he is whinging. No one wants to help someone like that. I genuinely believe that the All Blacks have won many tests, not just because of the tactical awareness of Richie McCaw, but because he knows how to win over the ref. Horwill has repeatedly shown that he can't do it. What is the harm in giving Quade a go now? There is absolutely nothing to be lost and he could be a sensation. Even if we are losing, if we play like we did against the British and Irish Lions, the fans will be happy and it will be good for Australian rugby. Genia is a safe option. The Wallabies can go back to that, but I wouldn't want Quade fine tuning his referee management in the Rugby Championship and frankly, I think it's time.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Give him another week off we should not need him for this one.