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Brumbies
26
Match Complete
Blues
21
| C. Lealiifano |  | 68 | ||
| F. Fainga'a |  | 66 | ||
| 63 |  | H. Plummer | ||
| 58 | | H. Plummer | ||
| C. Lealiifano | | 55 | ||
| F. Fainga'a | | 53 | ||
| C. Lealiifano | | 37 | ||
| J. Slipper | | 36 | ||
| 22 | | O. Black | ||
| F. Fainga'a | | 19 | ||
| 9 | | O. Black | ||
| 9 | | C. Clarke | ||
| 7 | | T. Faiane |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
After two weeks on the road (in South Africa and Argentina), the Brumbies return to the ACT for Round 12 of the Super Rugby, where they’ll host the Blues. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog, starting from 7:45pm AEST.
They will be hoping that the jet lag is not too severe, as they come up against a Blues side fresh off a bye. After a week off, you can bet your life the Blues will be absolutely raring to go for this one.
The Blues’ form has been inconsistent this year. They’re fourth in the New Zealand conference, behind the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Crusaders.
They’ve played some impressive rugby at times this year, recording victories over the Sunwolves, Highlanders, Stormers and Waratahs.
The ageless Ma’a Nonu has really stood up for the Blues, scoring six tries this season and setting up seven in his return to Super Rugby. The big redhead Tom Robinson has also been very strong in the back row.
However, the Blues have struggled in defence this year. They’ve conceded an average of almost 24 points per game – even when they win they generally concede plenty of points, defeating the Waratahs 32-29, or the Highlanders 33-26. Simply put, they will lose more often than not if they don’t fix their defence.
Injuries have also contributed to the Blues’ lack of consistency, with stars Sonny Bill Williams and Owen Franks both missing for extended periods, including this game.
The Brumbies are in third place in the Australian conference, although a bonus point victory in this game could propel them to the top depending on other results.
Like the Blues, they too have been quite patchy this season. However, their form over the last few weeks has been quite good, defeating both the Lions and the Stormers, and going down in a close one to the Jaguares in Argentina.
With both teams having plenty to play for in terms of ladder position in their respective conferences, this will certainly be a very interesting and hard-fought game.
Prediction
It’s difficult to pick the Blues in this one given they’re yet to win away from home this season. Compounding this is the fact that the Brumbies have a very strong home record this year, losing just once to the Rebels who are atop the Australian conference.
This will be a close game with plenty of tries scored (the Brumbies concede an average of 26.2 points per game) as both sides’ defence has been quite poor this year.
I’m backing the home team in this one.
Brumbies by 3!
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:45pm AEST.
Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra
When: 7:45pm
TV: Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports
Brumbies (15-1)
Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Toni Pulu, Christian Lealiifano (c), Joe Powell, Pete Samu, Jahrome Brown, Tom Cusack, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper
Reserves: Connal McInerney, Scott Sio, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Darcy Swain, Murray Douglas, Ryan Lonergan, Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead
Blues (15-1)
Melani Nanai, Matt Duffie, TJ Faiane, Ma’a Nonu, Caleb Clarke, Otere Black, Sam Nock, Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson (c), Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman
Reserves: James Parsons, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu, Dalton Papalii, Augustine Pulu, Harry Plummer, Levi Aumua
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Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.