This Sunday morning game sees the Brumbies travelling to Port Elizabeth to play the Kings. Join The Roar from 3:30am (AEST) for all the live action as we cover this Round 13 match from South Africa.
Both sides bring contrasting form into today’s encounter with the host side the Kings prevailing last weekend over their local rivals the Sharks while the Brumbies suffered a narrow loss to the Lions at home in Canberra.
However, the Brumbies are still in line for the playoffs, leading the Australian conference while the Kings bring up the rear of their own conference and are well off the pace to contend for a finals spot.
The Brumbies will know how important this match is within the race for the Australian conference title and will be under pressure to secure the competition points but it is hardly a straightforward assignment up against the Kings.
Early in the year the Kings were seen as nothing more than cannon fodder but have turned over some bigger names this season playing a quality brand of rugby and are more than capable of overcoming the Brumbies here today.
For the Brumbies, their biggest issue has been the inability to find the try line in recent weeks and this will be an obvious area to remedy against an attacking side like the Kings.
The Brumbies halves in Joe Powell and Wharenui Hawera need to take control and direct their side in attack, as well as their individuals seizing the opportunity on the counter.
The Kings will certainly look to take theirs and utilise their pace out wide so a thrilling match should be expected.
Tip
The PE based side has been playing some exceptional rugby of late and with playing at home and under no real pressure to perform I suspect we have an upset on the cards here today.
Kings by 3.
Join us from 3:30am AEST as we cover all the action here live and see if the Brumbies can maintain their lead at the top of the Australian Conference.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
TK and Speight are in form we haven't seen since 2014 :). They've really lifted their game when in this season when we've needed it. Powell is still a work in progress but quickly improving, isn't he? I still think that he is the third best Aussie halfback after Genia and Louwrens though. Unlucky about the Rebs.
Internal Fixation
Guest
Hey Fionn Agree the backs are working pretty well. A few clever kicks mixed in with some shokers. However Big TK and Sleight are making metres and taking 2-3 to bring them down. 1-2 of Powell's errors were due to offside by kings players missed by Peyper. On one of them he was looking at the offside line with his head turned. Shows the trust he has in his touchies. That said - he still needs tickets reduce his errors and poor kicks - a few were good though. Honestly - a little unlucky not the get the BP but any win in SA is awesome. Now go the Rebels :)
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
The new backline make up is much superior to any other we have fielded this year, despite Hawera and Godwin in the key 10-12 positions. Oh, what I would do to have CL and Toomua back.
Internal Fixation
Guest
The motivation to get up at 3am in a season like this is lacking!
Internal Fixation
Guest
Hi Digger Just watched the game on replay. Of all the SA refs, Peyper is the most impartial when SA teams are involved. I thought he was really good but I still have an issue with how the game is being refereed as a whole. The tactic of holding the tackled player up to force a maul should be a high risk, high reward play. Constantly the player trying to hold the man up falls in a position offside and obstructs the half back. Kings try this almost every tackle. This should be heavily penalised as it is slowing the game. Brumbies tried to play expansive rugby. Unfortunately despite the endeavour the ball skills are still not up to scratch. That said, for a team of "no names" the Brumbies are putting the Reds and Tahs to shame. I'm very happy the Brumbies got up - pressure on the Tahs today.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Hi Digger, It seems you had the distinction of having all of the say. But I note that only 1 person commented and so I wonder if the lack of comments means that Australians have completely lost interest in SR and Rugby in Australia. First "Live Blog" I have seen like this. Digger - must take a lot when you are on your own!! Cheers
Digby
Roar Guru
The Brumbies have prevailed over the Southern Kings this morning in a hard fought contest by 19 points to 10, scoring three tries to one and stretching their lead in the Australian conference by a further four competition points. The Kings started the game with a hiss and a roar, an early clever kick behind the line from first five Lionel Cronje for his winger Makazole Mapimpi to chase only to be taken early by Brumbies fullback Thomas Banks and referee Jaco Peyper, after a short consultation with the TMO had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and the early lead to the home side after just three minutes. A further penalty converted by Cronje saw the Kings out to a 10 point lead after 16 minutes. The Brumbies from there fought their way back into the match, dominating territory and possession, and were eventually rewarded, Josh Mann-Rea scoring from a lineout drive after the Kings conceded several penalties close to their line and had a man sent to the bin themselves for cynical play, tighthead prop Ross Geldynhaus earning 10 minutes rest in the naughty chair. The Brumbies continued to dominate, however a combination of the Kings staunch defence and poor handling from the Brumbies saw the home side take the lead into the halftime break by 10 points to 5. The second half began in the same vein as the first, the Brumbies continuing to pressure the Kings before a break in momentum and ill discipline from the visitors saw the Kings with a prime opportunity inside the Brumbies 22. Seemingly camped inside the Brumbies 22, the Kings turned down several shots in goal in favour of their scrum, but were unable to convert the pressure and the Brumbies survived this important passage of play. Against the run of play, a Kings counter attack was snuffed out by a wild pass which Brumbies flanker Chris Alcock gleefully intercepted and quick thinking from halfback Joe Powell, who kicked for the corner saw Aiden Toua chase and outstrip the defence to regather and slide over to score in the corner in a wonderful piece of skill to draw level, and first five Wharenui Hawera was able to convert from the sideline and the Brumbies hit the front by 12 points to 10. The Brumbies added another from another grubber, this time from Tevita Kuridrani, the big centre putting one into the in goal for banks to chase and dot down before the dead ball line. Another sideline conversion from Hawera made the game safe for the Brumbies, who became the first Australian side to win in South Africa this season and have scored an important away win in their quest for the Australian conference title.
Jono
Guest
Apparently the Brumbies are the only Oz team to win in SA so far this year. With no wins in NZ and one in Argentina Australia has doubled its overseas win rate! Tough match. Kings played well and held the Brumbies out and had the lead and the momentum until one poor pass blew the game open in the final quarter. Two tries off grubbers with Toua and banks showing great pace to get to the ball first and plant it down. Nice to have a win after what seems like an eternity without one.
Digby
Roar Guru
THE BRUMBIES HAVE DEFEATED THE KINGS BY 19 POINTS TO 10 IN PORT ELIZABETH
Digby
Roar Guru
Hooter sounds................... Brumbies in possession, kick ahead, Mapimpi tries to counter, turnover, Brumbies again, Alcock attack, another turnover, crazy stuff, Kings now, lost, its all over! KINGS 10 BRUMBIES 19
Digby
Roar Guru
1 minute to go................ Kings turn the ball over, last ditch attack, 30 out now........................... KINGS 10 BRUMBIES 19
Digby
Roar Guru
2 minutes to go....... Kings ill disciplined, Brumbies another penalty, working further downfield and soaking up time................. KINGS 10 BRUMBIES 19
Jono
Guest
Big minutes here for the Brumbies. This could be the difference in their season.
Digby
Roar Guru
3 minutes to go....... Brumbies work their way downfield courtesy of the penalty............ KINGS 10 BRUMBIES 19
Digby
Roar Guru
4 minutes to go...... Kings, hammering away inside the Brumbies 22, concede a penalty for holding on, Brumbies defence staunch! KINGS 10 BRUMBIES 19
Digby
Roar Guru
5 minutes to go.......... Kings attack, inside the Brumbies 22........................ KINGS 10 BRUMBIES 19
Digby
Roar Guru
6 minutes to go..... Kings awarded a penalty for offside, chance to attack for the home side....... KINGS 10 BRUMBIES 19
Digby
Roar Guru
7 minutes to go...... Scrum resets, still Kings ball................ KINGS 10 BRUMBIES 19
Digby
Roar Guru
8 minutes to go.............. Kings looking to counter from their half, awarded a scrum just short of halfway, going forward..... KINGS 10 BRUMBIES 19
Jono
Guest
Very important kick here. Kicking has really let the Brumbies down this season.