The Brumbies host their southern neighbours the Rebels in this intriguing intra-conference game. Join us on The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:20pm (AEST).
The only Australian team not to lose last weekend have the daunting task of winning in Canberra, having never won in the Nation’s Capital in their young history.
The closest they have come is to get within 15 of the Brumbies, who are two wins away from equalling their best ever home streak of 13 between 1996 and 1998.
The Brumbies will be hurting after their loss to the Blues last weekend, both mentally and physically.
The big surprise is the change at the base of the pack, with Nic White starting on the pine for Michael Dowsett, a scrumhalf from the Sydney club competition who has nine caps off the bench for the Brumbies in 2014 and 2015.
The Brumbies will look to dominate the set piece, with the best lineout success rate in the competition of 91 per cent, against the Rebels who hold the worst at 78 per cent.
The Rebels will arrive in Canberra refreshed after a week off, ready to capitalise on any Brumbies weakness and prove that they are closing the gap across the conference.
A strong battle at the breakdown is guaranteed with Sean McMahon growing with each game and, captain Scott Higginbotham leading from the front. However the main question will be whether they can give their inventive backs enough ball to make inroads and take advantage of some new Brumbies backline combinations.
A tough one to call as the Rebels have been unlucky in many of their games this year and are playing the conference’s most inventive footy.
However the Brumbies are a powerhouse at home and this advantage may just be enough.
Brumbies by 2.
MJB
Guest
I second that. Living in Canberra you get come to expect it.
Brett McKay
Expert
ha, thanks Rob!
TT
Guest
Great work rebels. What a win in trying conditions.
Jono
Guest
It is and as a Brumbies supporter it gives me no pleasure to make it and I hope I'm way off base with it. However, I have a horrible feeling I might not be. I blame being a Canberra Raiders supporter. The way they have imploded in 3 of the last 4 years has probably create some mental scarring.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The Rebels are quite good at the breakdown, and the Brumbies were weakened everywhere else -- coordination was poor too without the direction needed.
A-A Ron
Guest
That is a massive call.
PeterK
Roar Guru
the injuries were mainly in the backs. Yes the scrum was effected however the brumbies were beaten at the breakdown, their forwards lost with only Sio out. No excuse.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Haha, maybe! It's better to confront unpleasant truths, though. ;) Cheers, RT, bad luck on earlier tonight.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Cheers, mate, I don't feel too bad from what I saw, though. We were definitely outperformed.
Jono
Guest
Not only did they fail that test, but the older heads were dismal. No shining light in that performance tonight. They need a good kick in the backside from the coach and you have to wonder if your coach has the nickname "Bernie" whether he can deliver that.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Brett McKay (Happy Birthday, mate! :) ) interviewed Stephen Moore on Grandstand. The skipper's main points: * Very disappointed to be beaten at home * Had to make tactical adjustments in this weather, acknowledges that the Rebels may have adapted better * Acknowledges that the Brumbies were beaten at the breakdown * Disagrees that disruption caused by injuries in the squad affected the result. 'These guys have been training with us all week, and they have been there for the whole preseason. It was up to the other guys to lift.'. Perhaps they didn't lift by enough, Squeak?
Jono
Guest
The Brumbies season is over. There is no doubt now that they aren't title contenders and I don't think you can say they are one of the top 6 teams in the comp. They'll end up stuck in the middle of the table. I'm going to made a bold prediction now: Brumbies will not win another game before their bye in round 15, in turn putting on a 6 game losing streak. In fact, they might only win one more game this season and that will depend on which Crusaders team turns up in the final round.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Yep you are right but injuries are part of the game so to speak, but it is a test of depth....
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure how this counts as an upset; Brumbies are injury hit pretty much everywhere so their coordination would be expected to be shot.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Haha, nah, I want them to enjoy rugby one day! They like the reds and I'm a Force man so good games are few and far between for them, I might give them the year off!
El Gamba
Roar Guru
No worries mate, cheers. They were two big upsets but maybe they shouldn't have been. Waratahs had that potential and Brumbies were always going to struggle with so many outs.
RobC
Roar Guru
Chaps, next game blog is on: http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/04/18/force-vs-stormers-2015-super-rugby-live-scores-blog
RobC
Roar Guru
Chaps, next game blog is on: http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/04/18/force-vs-stormers-2015-super-rugby-live-scores-blog/#comment-3960982
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Overall a dour game in tough Canberra winter conditions did not bring many highlights. The Rebels early upper hand in the scrumming, or at least in Angus' opinion, and Stirzaker showing some real zip proved to be the difference. This combined with some excellent breakdown and collision work made the hill to steep to climb at the end. Ultimately the Brumbies had too many new combinations and lacked cohesion. This may not have been terminal but add in the poor weather and it made it a tough ask. Pocock continued his return well but I am still not seeing him at where he needs to be and the Rebels back row seemed better overall. Thanks for joining me, enjoy the rest of the rugby this weekend!
Woodsman
Guest
Good on em. They've been due another big scalp after the promising start to the season. Be nice to string a few wins together and shoot for the finals rather than play the spoilers year after year.