ACT Brumbies
33
Match Complete
Melbourne Rebels
17
| A. Muirhead |  | 78 | ||
| 75 |  | R. Hodge | ||
| 75 | | B. Wilkin | ||
| J. Debreczeni | | 52 | ||
| O. Sapsford | | 51 | ||
| J. Debreczeni | | 46 | ||
| T. Wright | | 45 | ||
| J. Debreczeni | | 34 | ||
| C. McInerney | | 33 | ||
| 28 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 27 | | C. Gordon | ||
| 23 |  | R. Hodge | ||
| J. Debreczeni | | 15 | ||
| C. Toole | | 14 |
| 5 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Brumbies host the Rebels for their last match of the regular season, making eight changes to their starting side for Friday night’s clash. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 7.30pm AEST
Currently placed at fourth, the Brumbies would need the Blues (third) to lose to the eighth-ranked Highlanders to have any chance of moving up and securing a massive quarter-final against the Waratahs. For the Rebels it’s a must win to have any chance of qualifying for the postseason.
Jack Debreczeni will wear the No.10 jersey, as Noah Lolesio suffered concussion symptoms following their 31-21 loss to the Chiefs, forming a brand new halves pairing, with Nic White returning after missing the past two matches.
It’s a brand new front-row for the Brumbies, with James Slipper given the week off following the birth of his first child. Connal McInerney comes in at hooker for Lachie Lonergan while Sefo Kautia starts at tight-head prop following Allan Alaalatoa’s season-ending injury.
Cadeyrn Neville makes his return in the second-row, joining Nick Frost, which sees Tom Hooper shift to blindside flanker. The move will see Pete Samu come off the bench. Ollie Sapsford meanwhile starts at inside centre, with Tamati Tua to come off the bench.
“It’s great for us to have Nic and Cadeyrn back, especially with Allan likely to miss some time through injury,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.
“Family comes first for the club and after welcoming his first child, Slips needed to be with his family this week and it’s a fantastic opportunity for Fred to get his first start.
“Friday night’s an important game for us, a special night for Pete on his 100th, and we’ll recognise the contribution of our departing players and staff but the first job is to perform for our home crowd and that’s our focus.”
For the visiting Rebels its much of the same as they have named a settled side for their must-win clash. Kevin Foote has made just the one change, with Nick Jooste starting at inside centre alongside Reece Hodge, who will play his 100th Super Rugby match.
Game Information
Venue: GIO Stadium
Kick-off: 7:35 (AEST)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Brumbies $1.28, Rebels $3.75 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Brumbies (1-15): Fred Kaihea, Connal McInerney, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Jack Debreczeni, Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Reserves: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Pete Samu, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Tamati Tua, Jesse Mogg
Rebels (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Matt Philip, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Richard Hardwick, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, Nick Jooste, Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Pone Fa’amausili, Trevor Hosea, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Stacey Ili, Joe Pincus
Referee: Angus Gardner
Wrecked 'em
Roar Rookie
Wrong. At the beginning maybe, but not after half time. And Peyper did not get into trouble. Sexton was a d1ck which is irrelevant to your silly comments. Discussion over.
Wally James
Roar Guru
Refs have traditionally taken the field after the players for decades both at the beginning of the game and at halftime. The same applies to running off since players have been allowed to leave the field at halftime. Jaco Peyper got into trouble in the tunnel when Rochelle played Leinster because he did not follow this basic concept. All avoided if the ref stays as the 31st person on the paddock. Players first - refs last.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You dont have the option of wearing a team down chasing the game. They needed quick points. That means you have to take low percentage options. Your response has gone from a hail mary, to intentionally giving possession away.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Some that got in the way of the 9 he was fine with. Some he wasn't. Any time it impacts the halfbacks options it has a material effect.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What's so good about their roster though? For example, this was the starting team vs the Reds in Round 5: Gibbon, Mafi, Talakai, Tualima, Hosea, Kemeny, Wilkin, Ekuasi, Louwrens, Gordon, Ioane, Feliuali, Ili, Anderson, Pincus. That team has 2 players (Gibbon and Talakai) who were Wallaby capped due to injury, and 1 Italian international. Without injuries they add in Philip, Leota, Hardwick, Hodge and Kellaway to that so stronger. But hardly full of internationals. I swear people have this idea in their head that the Rebels in 2018 took in all the Force's best players and lost none of their own and it's the same roster 5 years later. The Rebels in their best 23 can put I think 10 capped Wallabies on the park. The Waratahs for comparison can put 10 in the forwards alone and 16 in total if you include Beale. The Reds can field 12. It's hardly a stacked team. At best they have 4 regular 23 Wallabies (Philip, Leota, Hodge and Kellaway) and one of them has missed all season due to a Wallaby injury, a 2nd missed all but 2 games for the same reason and a 3rd missed the first 6 for the same reason.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
"The Brumbies never looked like losing" is a massively subjective statement. After the Rebels last try with the Rebels down by 10 or 11 and 5 to go with the Rebels having just march 70m up the field and attacking to potentially score another try to go within 3 or 4 did they really "never look like losing"?
mattocks15
Roar Rookie
he is
mattocks15
Roar Rookie
Lyon
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
Yeah, the Rebels would have moved from 11th to 7/8th on just winning 1 of those harshly reffed games or pulling through on another close result. The Rebels were better this year in both attack and defence {as shown with last years +/- compared to this year), and hopefully that will manifest into the results they deserve next year :thumbup:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Mister Gardner is the school rugby ref/coach. He teaches as he whistles.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ the less a ref coaches and the more the players play, the better for all concerned.” Agree. Angus explains too much. He’s still refereeing school games helping kiddies understand the laws of rugby. Bad miss on Kellaway’s injury. Too much player pleasing, not enough don’t argue.
Freddo
Roar Rookie
Monty's had a shocker this season.
Freddo
Roar Rookie
He was pretty ginger on the knee. Far from 100%
Wrecked 'em
Roar Rookie
Seriously ? They all go on together, especially after half time. Don’t overthink it mate
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Most importantly that was -149 last year. It’s a definite improvement and they look like beating decent teams now. Robbed vs Canes and Highlanders but let themselves down last time vs the Brumbies and vs the Force round 1. Should have put both away.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I’d say it’s pretty obvious what it is. The ref missed a blatant knock on then off side…
Wally James
Roar Guru
True. But it won’t happen if the ref does not run out with the players.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I would hope he is in discussions
Wally James
Roar Guru
Fair enough. However, once upon a time a 5/8 knew when a line out was over. If he didn’t he would cost his team a penalty. It seems to me that the less a ref coaches and the more the players play, the better for all concerned. Perhaps I’ll revert to the Triassic where I belong!
Wrecked 'em
Roar Rookie
What is your problem ? Are you a former disgruntled ref who thought you were better than Gardner? You’re embarrassing yourself.