ACT Brumbies
43
Match Complete
Fijian Drua
28
| B. O'Donnell |  | 78 | ||
| 72 | |||
| 59 |  | T. Tela | ||
| 58 | | K. Ravouvou | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 51 | ||
| A. Muirhead | | 50 | ||
| 48 | | T. Tela | ||
| 47 | | I. Masi | ||
| L. Lonergan | | 44 | ||
| 42 | | T. Tela | ||
| 41 | | T. Tela | ||
| 35 | | T. Tela | ||
| 35 | | P. Matawalu | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 23 | ||
| P. Samu | | 22 | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 14 | ||
| B. O'Donnell | | 12 | ||
| B. O'Donnell | | 3 |
| 7 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The ACT Brumbies are looking to build on their big win over the Queensland Reds last week when they take on a dangerous Fijian Drua side in Canberra on Friday night. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEST).
The Brumbies head into this clash with four changes from the side that cracked the 50-point mark against the Reds last week. It’s a new look second row pairing with Darcy Swain gaining his first start in 2023 to join Sam Thomson with Cadeyrn Neville given the week off. Thomson will be playing his first minutes of 2023 after being an unused substitute in the Waratahs game two weeks ago.
With Corey Toole ruled out with concussion, Ben O’Donnell gets a start on the left wing and Ollie Sapsford gets the 12 jersey to partner Len Ikitau in the centres.
The Fiji side will be refreshed after having the bye last week and come into this game full of confidence after their last start win over the Melbourne Rebels in Fiji.
The Drua are in the top two for offloads in the competition and will look at the Moana Pasifika blueprint to disrupt the Brumbies style of play when they racked up 36 points with some brilliant counter attacking play.
However, the Fijians will need to be disciplined against a structured Brumbies side as they are the least penalised side and are known for punishing ill-discipline with a strong maul. The Brumbies were eventually able to weather the Moana storm and just like in last week’s game against the Reds, they ran away with it in the final 20 minutes to put the icing on the cake.
Conditions in Canberra will be cool on Friday so will favour the home side. At least it is not being played in June so that is a small win for Mick Byrne’s side.
Prediction: This could be seen a danger game for the Brumbies with the bye looming, but the way coach Stephen Larkham has his side playing right now they should come away with a win.
Game information
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Odds: ACT Brumbies $1.06 Fijian Drua $10 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Brumbies (1-15): J. Slipper, L. Lonergan, A. Alaalatoa (c), D. Swain, S. Thomson, R. Valetini, R. Scott, P. Samu, R. Lonergan, N. Lolesio, B. O’Donnell, O. Sapsford, L. Ikitau, A. Muirhead, T. Wright
Replacements: B. Pollard, B. Schoupp, R. Van Nek, N. Frost, L. Reimer, N. White, J. Debreczeni, D. Meredith
Drua (1-15): L. Natave, Z. Togiatama, S. Tawake, I. Nasilasila, T. Cirikidaveta, J. Tamani, K. Salawa, E. Canakaivata, P. Matawalu, T. Tela (c), T. Samusamuvodre, K. Ravouvou, I. Masi, E. Sau, K. Taliga
Replacements: M. Dolokoto, H. Hetet, J. Koroiduadua, L. Rotuisolia, R. Nasove, P. Baselala, M. Naitokani, I. Droasese
Referee: Damon Murphy
Olly
Roar Rookie
Watched the reply and still don't see why he was carded
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Was a poor pass. A dodgy (crappy) league style floater. There was no need for it. Should have thrown a proper pass.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
The worst part, the commentators didn’t even realise they were showing the wrong footage. They kept on wondering where the knock on was, looking at the footage before the previous penalty.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
Yeah can see that for the Drua knock on for the disallowed try. Thought he let the game slow down between play too much anyway. Was also not at all clear what Muirhead was carded for at the ground and I was very close to where it happened.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
That’s right. Runner has some responsibility for that forward pass.
Klutz
Roar Rookie
Not much point throwing the pass behind him if he's overrun it.
Klutz
Roar Rookie
Those yellows??? ... he wasn't that good. And the slap down intercept by the Drua player near the end, he had no response at all.
Olly
Roar Rookie
He collapsed the maul within the field of play. He also join the maul well before the try line from an offside position so plenty of reasons.
Olly
Roar Rookie
TV director seemed to be on the drink in this game....
Olly
Roar Rookie
Properly the part missed at the ground is the TMO was having difficulty with the TV director showing the wrong footage.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Brumbies clearly need the bye week. Looking a bit tired but the Dura are that team that can make life difficult... particularly when you play some of the game with 13 players.
Olly
Roar Rookie
He was called for collapsing the maul as he did not stay on his feet
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’m assuming a GoT reference. Lost on me I’m afraid
GoldenEye
Roar Rookie
So White is Arya then..
trent jenkins
Roar Rookie
You can come in from the side if your foot is on the try line. The Fijians foot is behind the try line. It's not offside.
trent jenkins
Roar Rookie
And it was on the line. How is the Fijian offside when his foot is on his own try line?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Passer, or catcher over running the ball, at fault? I’m guessing both.
FrancisF
Roar Pro
I agree.
Pogo
Roar Rookie
On the other side the call of penalty try for collapsing the maul by drua #6 seemed overblown when the maul was still moving
Pogo
Roar Rookie
Seriously confused by the two yellow cards. I watched both live and then on the replay at home and don’t get them - maybe a penalty for swain at best but seemed to be going for the ball after it cleared ruck and can any one explaining to me what Muirhead did wrong? Also, why it was not only a penalty but cynical? But hey I have always thought Murphy is a random referee who makes bad calls in all directions.