Brumbies
28
Match Complete
Reds
23
| 64 |  | J. O'Connor | ||
| 63 |  | A. Blyth | ||
| 58 |  | J. O'Connor | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 54 | ||
| N. Lolesio |  | 48 | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 46 | ||
| T. Banks | | 44 | ||
| 41 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 31 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 30 | | H. Wilson | ||
| A. Muirhead | | 25 | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 17 | ||
| F. Fainga'a | | 16 | ||
| 12 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 4 |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 1 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Brumbies host the Reds on Saturday evening at GIO Stadium, Canberra. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:20pm (AEST).
Brad Thorn’s Reds have made it a habit to win home games lately, which includes the 19-point domination over the Brumbies two weeks ago. It was a lacklustre performance by the Brumbies, which has resulted in the replacement of a number of their players today.
They did a similar thing a few weeks ago after being trounced by the Rebels, resulting in convincing subsequent wins against the Waratahs and the Force. These preceded their embarrassing loss to the Queenslanders.
But that was before today’s return of Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio, who was sorely missed by his team. He jumps straight into the fire against a red-hot Reds and their in-form flyhalf James O’Connor.
There are many great match-ups, including Scott Sio versus Taniela Tupou, followed by James Slipper versus Taniela Tupou. Tupou will look forward to serving another face fend on Tevita Kuridrani on his last game before Kuridrani’s reported move to Perth.
Jordan Petaia and Hunter Paisami will also try to go through the 13 channel and give Kuridrani a fair share of nightmares.
Tate McDermott versus Joe Powell plays an instrumental role in determining who will win the final. It will be as cutting as the Canberra cold, which in the end will also be a deciding factor.
Prediction
The Brumbies and Reds backrowers are going for broke today. This final will be brutal and is expected to be smart in part.
The Brumbies will be sore and angry from their last encounter in Brisbane and be fired up for a big win. For the Reds to win an upset, they need to harass Lolesio, retain possession, and force errors from the Brumbies.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:20pm (AEST)
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Amy Perrett, Reuben Keane
TMO: James Leckie
Odds: Brumbies $1.70, Reds $2.20
Teams
Brumbies
1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Murray Douglas, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Lachie McCaffrey, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks
Bench: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. James Slipper, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Rob Valetini, 21. Nic White, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Solomone Kata
Reds
1. JP Smith, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Liam Wright (c), 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Jock Campbell
Bench: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Bryce Hegarty, 23. Jack Hardy
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
This Brumbies fan and member wakes up on the Central Coast NSW every day! :silly:
Richie
Roar Rookie
Gnomes or not we’re the ones smiling :laughing:
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah the only game outside of QLD they didn't lose was when they played the Rebels in Sydney.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
The moustache was holding kuridrani back
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
McCaffery was outstanding. Just has the rugby smarts to know where the ball will be and puts himself there. Great physicality and great work at the breakdown. I know there are a lot of Valentini fans but I'll take smarts over brawn
RobC
Roar Guru
Cheers Adsa. Hope the rums had the desired outcome :laughing: We'll win next time or soon thereafter. There have been too many close results in Canbrrrrrra
In brief
Guest
I couldn’t believe Gardner awarded a scrum penalty for ‘clear dominance’ - there is no so law in the rule book. Can referees just make stuff up?
In brief
Guest
Not sure how you came to that conclusion- I’ve watched all the rugby au matches and can’t think of a more stop start, jilted game
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
:laughing:
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
I agree with you on JOC at 10. I’d say he’s better than Toomua in an open game when his team is on top, but Toomua the guy you’d want for a grind or when your pack is going backwards. But unless Rennie wants Kerevi at 12, I’d be really surprised not to see JOC there.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Sorry I thought you meant play no.12!
mused6
Roar Rookie
I thought your Waratahs made really good spectators during the final series. :stoked:
Ex force fan
Guest
Look at all the games they played away. By far their worst performances I thought they were much worse against the Tahs. That was surely their worst game of the season.
Ex force fan
Guest
The kicks were all well placed. The chase was poor with little competition for the ball, however the Reds handled then very well. When it didn’t work he didn’t change his tactics which I think is fair criticism.
RobC
Roar Guru
So What. Eales left 19 years ago. Hes not relevant in 2020. No one mentioned him or Isaac Lucas I dont care if you dont care about Rodda. But I have clearly answered your question. There is actually a bunch of people including myself who think that Rodda was missed.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Well Eales or McCall would also have strengthened the lineout even better than Rodda. But similar to Isaac they were not available. The only reason why Rodda was not there tonight was due to his decisions and his decision only.
RobC
Roar Guru
I care. Quite a few others too, if you look at comments below. The LO dropped since his departure. Not wading into whos right/wrong on what happened. Only the impact
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Mate I shall drink heartily to the victors and vanquished!!
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Of course it wasn’t the greatest game. The Reds played crap! Injuries, yellow cards and the AU player of the year Daugunu had a shocker. Well done Brumbies! But even that shot from Slipper at the end on Blyth was a penalty for sure! That TMO gave a penalty to Kerevi for a fend off against Wales in the RWC. Tonight’s was a Shoulder hit to the head! James Lecky really ??? Why?
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Hockings,Rodda & Lucas made a decision and scuttled off for fame and fortune. Who cares what may have been because it is pointless speculation. Rodda made it very clear he did not want to be part of the Reds.