The Brumbies are only one loss away from joining the Sunwolves at the bottom of the Super Rugby table and will be hoping for a win away to the mid-table Bulls from South Africa. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 11:05pm AEST.
After five successive losses, the struggling Brumbies are a shadow of what they have been for so long in Super Rugby competition.
There were high expectations at the start of the season, but the side has been disappointing to say the least.
Injuries and suspensions have not helped the Brumbies this season and this week they will be without Rory Arnold and Rob Valetini who will be replaced by Blake Enever and Lachlan McCaffrey respectively.
The Brumbies have shown promise especially in attack this year however poor decisions and lack of consistency have hurt them at several key moments.
The side will be optimistic as they have won the last four of their five clashes against the Bulls.
Watch out for Christian Lealiifano to have a big game at fly-half as Wallaby selections are just around the corner.
The confidence of the Bulls would have been provided a massive blow after being thrashed at the hands of the vastly superior Jaguares team in Buenos Aires.
Regular inside centre and captain Burger Odenaal returns to lead the team which is a much-needed boost for the John Mitchell coached side.
Mitchell made the team aware in no uncertain terms that performance against the Jaguares was not up to standard, but the Bulls are positive that they can reduce the gap in the South African conference and qualify for the play-offs.
This fight towards the finals starts tonight against the Brumbies.
Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard moves back to his preferred position from inside centre. Look for him to provide the calming influence and guide the team around the park.
Prediction
The Bulls playing home should edge this one out. They have looked better than the Brumbies this year.
Bulls to win by 10.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 11:05pm AEST.
dopplerman
Guest
pocock dosnt have legs so is allways off his feet Retallick is the opposite
Pavid Docock
Guest
Oh yeah. I have read that multiple times in the Roar's comment section. Slipped my mind... Fingers crossed for the RC squad!
Fionn
Guest
Apparently he has ruled himself out of the June tests due to cancer recovery, mate. I would love to see his form continue and he overtake Foley, but that perhaps doesn't mean a lot as my opinion of Foley is pretty well know. Hopefully in the RC he gets a bench spot covering 10 and 12.
Pavid Docock
Guest
Some of CLL's passing was exquisite too! He should surely be in the Wallabies squad, at the very least as a mentor to the younger backs.
Fionn
Guest
Happy days indeed :)
Fionn
Guest
Oh I did, thank you :) ! Pocock, Powell and Baks impressed me particularly, but it is good to see the team playing much more cohesively as a unit. Where was this earlier in the season?
Fionn
Guest
Australia's next longterm fullback ;) Young bloke. Was extremely good last year but had a slow start to the season, but has really turned it around the last few weeks. I wonder if he might have been carrying an injury earlier.
Mzilikazi
Guest
Great result for the Brumbies....well done. Happy days, Fionn ! I also note this comment from Shakti Gounden " great leadership from David Pocock ...... provided a much needed win. " Wallabies coaching staff should note this too !! Also should note Tom Banks comments......I have not seen the match myself, so is all I can go on.
I said in my article a few weeks ago the Aussies can still turn it around this season, and they are looking much better for the upcoming test series vs the Irish.
Buddyboy
Guest
The aussies are showing real starch late in the season,fingers crossed the revolution may finally be coming after such a painful few years.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I think the refs do as good as they can. They are usually highly competitive also and strive to be number one and ref the big games. The removal of non-neutral refs is more about perception. It gives SR terrible PR week after week.
Pavid Docock
Guest
I agree with that summation. The officials cannot get it right 100% of the time. They are human too. Also, I don't concur with the calls for neutral refs for Super Rugby games. These guys are professionals. What little homeland bias they possess would surely have a miniscule bearing on their adjudication.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
It was a fabulous win for the Brumbies. And my two cents is that it tastes even sweeter due to it was done with 14 men. Of course, refs get it wrong sometimes, but the amount of stick they get, compared to the players when they mess up, is off the chart.
daws
Guest
From the highlights it looks like he can kick too. Pretty good having him and Maddocks added to the already hot competition for wing spots.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
He is very evasive as well looks a tricky customer.
Colvin
Guest
Only saw the last 12 minutes, but what an incredible win by Brumbies. Who's this Tom Banks?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Banks has been outstanding in the last two weeks. A rare thing to see a white boy with that kind of speed.
Bakkies
Guest
It was poor from Fainga'a and Carter. His hooker gave away the penalty for the side away and was goaded by the Bulls lock. Carter should have stepped in pulled his hooker away and told the Bulls lock to pick in someone his own size. Despite playing his best game for the Brumbies Carter is too nice and not aggressive enough.
Pavid Docock
Guest
Point taken about the red card moaning. Watching it live this particular incident didn't seem to warrant one - slowing it down made it look worse. But it was probably technically correct. I personally feel there have been an increasing number of players carded for infringements based on subjective calls in recent years - particularly high shots, contesting the ball in the air and deliberate knock downs. The game is utilising the technology to make sure all foul play is spotted - I get that. Too many times however, common sense is not followed and it does take away from the spectacle. I concede that the refs probably get it right the majority of the time. And I am obviously pretty biased when discussing the Fainga'a red card as a Brumbies supporter. Really proud of them for showing some guts and determination these past two weeks.
Bakkies
Guest
Yes he kicks it 20 metres and out further than Foley. Muirhead has a hammer foot too, needs a hair cut and if they can sort out the defensive reads out wide they are in for the Wallabies.