Brumbies
22
Match Complete
Reds
20
| M. Hansen |  | 82 | ||
| C. McInerney |  | 74 | ||
| 49 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 46 |  | J. O'Connor | ||
| 45 | | A. Scott-Young | ||
| 43 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 42 | | H. Wilson | ||
| 38 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| B. Kuenzle | | 34 | ||
| F. Fainga'a | | 32 | ||
| B. Kuenzle | | 6 | ||
| F. Fainga'a | | 5 |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | 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 7:15pm (AEST).
Eight. This is the number of times that Queensland defeated ACT throughout their entire rivalry, with the Brumbies scoring an average of 28 versus the Reds’ 17. Today, the Reds can turn things around with a bonus-point win that will result in a table-topping position.
Standing in the way of the Brad Thorn’s Reds’ long sought ascension are fellow Queenslander Dan McKellar’s boys, who themselves are in the process of redemption. The Canberrans’ renowned hard rucking and special set piece have been inconsistent since the resumption of post-lockdown games. This could be attributable to the new lock pairing of Nick Frost and Darcy Swain.
Today, McKellar opted to play without any reserve locks. Queensland has a formidable locking team comprising Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (who also played blindside flanker), Angus Blyth, and reserve Ryan Smith. Angus Scott-Young also played lock this year successfully.
The Reds will contest every lineout and challenge the Brumbies’ scrum as a key anchor to their win. However, the Brumbies’ front row and back row are deadly. In their last encounter, Harry Wilson and Angus Scott-Young faced Pete Samu and Rob Valetini seven months ago with some success. Today will be a bigger trial with the Brumbies seemingly being the more settled combination.
The attacking halves have significantly changed since their Super Rugby 2020 Round 1 clash. The Brumbies’ Joe Powell will feed and field his forwards to overwhelm rookie Scott Malolua and his pack.
Conversely the experienced James O’Connor and his potent Reds back line and back row will probe for Bayley Kuenzle’s weakness in defence while also limiting his time and space to attack.
Prediction
This match might be as close as their three-point thriller earlier this year. In the end, the stinging cold weather that Canberrans love, plus home-ground advantage and high-quality coaching will probably lead to another ACT win.
To produce an upset, the Reds will need to defend like demons, deliver a flawless set piece and avoid silly penalties.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:15pm (AEST)
Venue: GIO Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Teams
Brumbies
1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Bayley Kuenzle, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks
Bench: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. James Slipper, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Tom Cusack, 20. Lachlan McCaffrey, 21. Issak Fines, 22. Mack Hansen, 23. Andy Muirhead
Reds
1. Dane Zander, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Scott Malolua, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 15. Jock Campbell
Bench: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. Feao Fotuaika, 18. Jack Straker, 19. Ryan Smith, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Bryce Hegarty, 23. Jordan Petaia
Ace
Guest
Thorn needs to take the blame for this loss. He promised he would instill discipline into the Reds. He lied .They are the most undisciplined Team in Oz.
Markus
Roar Rookie
AAA playing a lot of minutes to cover the inexperienced props in the squad, they've even had Slipper shifting to TH just to give him a break. Ross, Lloyd or Vui really need to step up.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Nah, I’ll stick to what I love best! Petaia is a beauty though! Can Dangunu make the Wallabies? He’s doing everything right except that blue at the end where he didn’t come in field.
Double Agent
Guest
Nah he's always been good.
Double Agent
Guest
Maybe you're gay now? Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Loving the Reds this year. Game of the year too in Australia, competitive, intelligent, exciting, skilful rugby, just wonderful....
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
I should say that I’m all for people howling at the moon about referees - it’s just that we should all do them the politeness of ignoring them.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Tony, that's so true. LSL and T.Tupou have got to keep their arms lower. One high shot and the ref now has a lemon in his mouth. Most of the time they are not hitting heads or necks but hitting chests with arms sliding up but the ref now has it in for them and an immediate penalty and every try earned only after a TMO review. However N.Berry had a shocker and was conned big time by the smart Brumbies who knew the referee was determined and heavy handed against the Reds. That said, the Reds stupidly started with too many high shots earning the refs ire thus helping the Brumbies' cause. If they cut out the early bully boy tactics they likely would have won this match even with the horrible LO throwing of A.Mafi.
mused6
Roar Rookie
What did you see in the game that makes you say that?
soapit
Roar Guru
just make the 5m lineout a 10m lineout. twice as hard to get to the line. simple and minimal impact elsewhere
Olly
Roar Rookie
Yes, 3 years as a pro ref, I know the laws. I also know as world refing has directed this season to stop players illegally crawling along the ground as we saw last season. He is tackled and uses his right forearm to crawl forward to the line before he reached out. If he just reached out then good, but he was flat on his chest and crawled forward.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Alan is nearly broken. He needs a rest and freshen up
Crash Ball2
Roar Rookie
You definitely watched a different game to me then. I saw an assured young backrower making some good onfield decisions, including opting for points when they were on. Dealing with the whistleblower respectfully whilst still making his own views clear (and being listened to rather than dismissed out of hand). He was at the heart of everything good the Reds did in making up a tangible points shortfall to the competition favourites. The bloke is maturing very nicely both as a player and a leader.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
These two will meet again in Super Rugby AU's Grand Final. They are by far the class of this hybrid competition.
Double Agent
Guest
What about Bent Spoke? If I could afford it I'd live there.
Double Agent
Guest
Yes that was very poor.
numpty
Roar Rookie
From the rule book - "Tackled players must immediately: Make the ball available so that play can continue by releasing, passing or pushing the ball in any direction except forward. They may place the ball in any direction." ASY was tackled short of the line. He then made a movement *placing* the ball over the try line. Legal.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
The thing about Canberra is there us little to distract players. Once you've seen Parliament House, War Memorial, the Mint, there is nothing but to engage with each other
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Exactly right Tony !
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah for Simone may be age and time in pro systems or just may be better coaching.