The Brumbies host the Chiefs on Anzac Day in what promises to be one of the defining matches of the 2014 Super Rugby season. Join The Roar for live scores and banter from 5:30pm AEST.
The defending champions haven’t exactly been cruising as well as their third position on the ladder would suggest.
A loss to the Crusaders, a victory over the Rebels, and two draws in the republic are their latest results. Their loss to the Crusaders would worry them, as they showed a lack of quality in the absence of All Blacks fly-half Aaron Cruden. Four wins from eight games doesn’t make for that impressive reading for a side that’s top of the New Zealand conference.
On the other hand, the Brumbies are building very steadily into the competition. An opening-round loss to the Reds put doubt in the minds of some about their premiership credentials, but since then it’s been a strong run for last year’s finalists.
They’ve had a bye to freshen up after a grinding one over the Reds, and you fancy that they will be ready to go against the Chiefs in Canberra.
Another who will be ready to go is inside centre Christian Lealiifano. After suffering a broken ankle last year, Lealiifano hasn’t started yet in 2014, and replaces an in-form Pat McCabe.
It will change how the Brumbies play the game, as McCabe has offered plenty of aggression and thrust through the middle so far this season. He can consider himself extremely unlucky to miss out.
The last time these two sides met was of course in last year’s grand final where the Chiefs were heavy favourites in Waikato.
The Chiefs came away with the win and the title, but that will mean little here. The Brumbies are favoured by the bookies, and are probably playing the more consistent rugby.
Join us for all the live scores and banter from 5:30pm AEST, and don’t feel shy to join the conversation below.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ Harry : But Harry, when the hometown commentry team are embarrassed by the refs decisions, then there is something wrong dont u think? like the first try when one commentator said " geez that is forward for me :(" but u do have a point about the problem being not the ref. The tmo with all his sl-mo visuals made those decisions. wonder what he was looking at , if not those seen by tv viewes. must say the other ref for bulls game did a fairly decent job. and in the rain too :)
Chan Wee
Guest
@ jason8 : what u need to look at also is the timing of these 3 trys. (including the one where Mogg shud have been called out). simillar thin happened in the Sarecens V Clearmont match when NIgel Owens gave a penalty try and then denied a try to Clearmont. dont forget rugger is played not just with hands and feet but also the mind. in fat every spot / game is. Steve Waugh called it "mental disintegration" to take the mind off the game by sledging.
dahl
Guest
Tahs should try to pickup mccabe or Christian LLF. Brums won't be able to keep both next season
jeznez
Roar Guru
What we have taken New South Welshmen back in areas the Brumbies were loaded with Wallabies (and soon to be Wallabies)? Gee we are terrible we only left you with Pocock, (and at the time Faingaa), Lealiifano, McCabe, Kuridrani, Tomane and Speight. How dare we take Crawford, Hooper and AAC back - no wonder every one hates us we have left your cupboards bare! :D
jeznez
Roar Guru
Hooper for captain is the obvious choice. Has already been taking over when Dennis is out. He is young but I would throw him the gig.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
I rather stick with the Union TMO and ref calls than what the NRL have been dishing up in their decision making.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Walsh is either hot or cold, last night he was lukewarm. Mogg's pass was forward and Tomane wasn't take in the air as perfectly judged hit. But these are calls we see every week and last nights wasn't the Chiefs turn. The Waratahs could question question some poor calls from Pollock last night with the standout one being a Blues player who was never onside, playing the Waratahs back line and 'intercepted' a Waratahs ball with a 4 on 1 advantage. I'd think that was worth a yellow but Pollock, like Walsh seems to play favorites at times.
Zero Gain
Guest
Walsh was excellent. You are in denial, mate.
Zero Gain
Guest
Yep.
Uncle Eric
Guest
It wasn't just the two tries BB. From memory the brumbies fourth try came after Mogg stepped into touch right in front of the Hoff. Third try was from a dubious penalty. SANZAR has to have neutral refs at all games and the standard of referees and TMO's generally is poor. I've watched every game this year to date and I have to say this game was one of the hardest to watch as the refereeing killed the contest.
hog
Guest
Bare in mind they only had 5 players from last years final on the field.
Buzzard
Guest
Good win by the Brumbies. I was hoping the Tahs & Blues would draw cause I hate both of them. Its a fight between the Kiwi teams but come on the Saders.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Some of us had the Brumbies as the power play! :-)
Robbo_76
Guest
Absolutely agree with btb here - this is a huge issue. Refereeing errors are affecting the result of too many games...
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
So does that make it ok ? ... and if so why bother with replays and referrals then
Kuruki
Roar Guru
There is 50-50 and there is just blatant wrong calls. Walsh made to many blatant wrong calls for it to be rub of the green.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Good game by the Brumbies and rub of the green with the TMO. I've seen the Chiefs benefit from a few 50-50 calls in the past, actually I've seen many a team benefit from 50-50 calls especially when they are seen as the attacking team in the game.
kiwi
Guest
Just watched the Highlanders' tries on another site. Four tries - all very different, but all excellent in their own way. Fekitoa... What a run!!!
eagleJack
Guest
Actually it is sound logic. Unless you think Australian teams, on the whole, have performed well? I said they haven't and you proved my point. No need to get emotional when cold hard facts are staring you in the face.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Stoked for the Highlanders. They have worked hard and deserve a win like that. Chiefs aside the NZ conference looks to be waking up.