The Brumbies affirmed their status as the leading Australian side with a 43-10 smashing of the Reds.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Brumbies 43
Reds 10
The Brumbies are looking to consolidate top spot in the Australian conference as they host a struggling Reds side. Join The Roar from 7:45pm (AEST) for all the action.
It says a lot about the current state of Australian rugby that a side with just two wins from five games is top of the standings.
In one of the worst, yet still tightest, battles for a final spot in recent memory, the Brumbies’ 11 points sees them three clear of the Waratahs, who are the only other side with two wins to their name.
The Brumbies are the only team in the country with a positive points differential as well.
The side from Canberra are coming off a bye and an 18-13 loss at the hands of the Highlanders in Week 5, letting the game slip out of their reach late in a tight affair at home.
The Reds’ last win came in the opening game of the season, beating the Sharks in a 28-26 thriller which suggested the Queenslanders were in for a good year.
Since then, they’ve lost five straight, accumulating just two competition points in over a month to leave their finals hopes in tatters.
They were knocked off by the defending champion Hurricanes last week, 34-15.
It’s not looking good historically either for the Reds, who have lost their last four games in a row against the Brumbies.
On top of that, they’ve lost 21 out of 27 games ever played between the two sides.
Team news
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has held true to his rotation policy, dropping skipper Sam Carter, handing the captaincy to flanker Scott Fardy.
Rory Arnold has been called up into the starting side at lock in place of Carter, while Nic Mayhew gets pushed to the bench in favour of Scott Sio, who bags his first run-on spot for the season.
Former Red Tom Banks will make his Brumbies debut against his old side, replacing James Dargaville on the wing.
For the Reds, Markus Vanzati has been pushed out of the side thanks to a retuning Sef Fa’agase, who has overcome a calf injury to start at loosehead. This will move Sam Talakai back across to tighthead.
Young gun Taniela Tupou has been moved back onto the bench to make way for the aforementioned front row changes.
In the backline, Karmichael Hunt has been ruled out with concussion problems, making way for former Broncos fullback Lachlan Maranta to make his run-on debut.
Prediction
It’s hard to pick winners out of a struggling conference, but apart from their opening round win, the Reds have struggled to find form or momentum.
The Brumbies haven’t faired much better, but they’ve looked stronger.
Playing at home, with their existence in the competition still on the line, the Brumbies will get the job done.
Brumbies to win by 16
Join The Roar from 7:45pm (AEST) for all the live scores, highlights and action.
Rugnut
Guest
The Reds ..."The Great Pretenders" The Reds have had a history of letting good players get away, only to see them again in a competitors jersey where they repeatedly remind us that they are better than what the Reds put on the field. Genia and Gil (although not competitors of the Reds) have been greatly missed. Stiles too is not up to scratch. The Reds will never win, or really be consistently competitive, until they change their current culture of accepting only better than mediocrity. Taking on Moore and Smith, both who were great in their day but are no longer within the top 3 in their positions in Australia, should not have been a strategy of the Reds. Ready was close to the best hooker in Australia last year is now on the outa and seems to have lost the drive. Butler and McMahon are Qlder's who slipped through the Reds fingers. Gil IMO was the best loosie last year with the exception of Pocock. Had no choice but to leave for $$$ and enjoyment. He should have been encouraged to stay and lead the team. Frisby has been a poor replacement for Genia. It's unfortunate the box kick has now been passed onto Tuttle. 9/10 times it is poorly executed. I hope it is not part of the game plan. The Reds have missed QC, but he is not the answer to the Reds problems. He adds far more than McIntyre but is still no 3 in Australia. I thought Simmons had a good game and has improved his aggressive running. But was outplayed by his tall opposite number. Douglas has not impressed this year. Finally, the Board. By all reports they have done a great job in fixing the mess left behind by their predecessors on all issues back of house. It seems they backed the wrong man in Stiles. A 50%+ win loss status for the rest of the season would not be acceptable and he should go at seasons end.
nigel brown
Roar Rookie
Why are these players called Stars?
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Lot of fire being directed at Stiles....and that is justified IMO. But think also of the people above him too. They appointed him as head coach, after a poor season as caretaker coach. And would I be correct in assuming that the same people appointed Richard Graham, who had not been successful with the Force. And then they let him take the Reds thru' the pre season training, only to sack him after 2/3 ? weeks. What a shambles, going back to Link leaving as a legacy a champion team. How far Qld. has fallen. I watched a game in Belfast when Qld .played Ulster...a good team then....in 1988. A terrible night, wet and windy, not at all suitable for the visitors. But they won that game, and the local press prior to the game had described them as the "best provincial side in the world ". Lets see a clean sweep out in Reds rugby...top down.....and a beginning of a probably realistically long climb back to a team which can oerform well and challenge the best, and has pride in the jersey. And, by the way, why was the old maroon jersey changed for a red one ??
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
You sum it up well, riddler. Well said, and I second your congratulations to the Brumbies. How do Queensland go out on Monday, and prepare for the next game ?? A very unhappy camp, one would assume.
RubberLegs
Guest
Send coach Stiles back to club footy for a few weeks because of his poor form and let George Smith coach the team. George will not select his favourites; he will pick people who can play because he and a few others have to clean up after the poor performers stuff up.
riddler
Guest
brumbies beat what was in front of them and beat us well.. why do we have to donwplay it.. we are not over playing it.. there is a balance..
Kirky
Roar Rookie
The Reds a team full of "Stars'', mate there's no Stars in Australia, let alone in the Reds. Get shed of the Coach, he was a lousy player and is now obviously a lousy Coach, who always has something negative to say about his team after a lost game, never blames himself!
Cynical Play
Roar Rookie
Speight is good, promises so much, but he is exactly as we've seen, Good not great and not as good as we hope. He is not the future.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Yep! it tells you something about how bad the Aussies are travelling, when a team, is on top of the Local Conference with two wins! Rubbish they call it! never mind, a win is a win is a win and the points are on the board!
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
King George really is ageless. One of the most complete rugby players I've ever seen. He can do anything.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Maybe, but I can just really enjoy the next week then :)
Kirky
Roar Rookie
One game does not a champion team make mate! ~ Any team would've thrashed the Reds today, but it was the Brumbies day today! ~ Next weekend back to the status quo I'd imagine when the going gets tough!
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
He's the best player ever, man, I just met Cheika at Canberra stadium and asked him if George would still be his first pick over Hooper. He just laughed and said that if George was up for it then who knows, but that Alcock was great too. What has happened to Frisby? Last year I thought he was the future incumbent Wallaby 9..
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
The less said, the better.
Sandy B
Guest
The y need to merge two teams. Based on recent results i suggest the Redatahs.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Why not? Because they are Australia's most successful Rugby team, not only in the past but also in the present. But more to the point, no team should be cut. It's ridiculous that nobody is questioning the assumption that cutting a team will make Aussie rugby competitive again. It's just desperate, wishful thinking.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I meant unfortunately I fear he is right about the Force being cut. I don't want any Aussie team to go.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
I suppose the Brumbies are at the moment. "the best of a bad lot"! ~ Early in the Season, they'll lose a few yet, that game against the Reds indicated the Perth under 12s could've beaten them on the day!
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
It really shouldn't be anybody. Anyway...
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
The opposition wasn't great, but I still feel great. If I find out tomorrow that we're being cut I'll as much as it will hurt I will just feel blessed to have seen the Brumbies turn back the clock and play like the team I remember from my youth, and that I got to see George Smith play in Canberra again.