Brumbies
38
Match Complete
Queensland Reds
40
| 78 |  | J. O'Connor | ||
| 77 |  | J. Petaia | ||
| 75 |  | J. O'Connor | ||
| R. Lonergan | | 72 | ||
| I. Fines | | 70 | ||
| 68 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 66 | | H. Wilson | ||
| 62 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 60 | | T. Tupou | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 48 | ||
| F. Fainga'a | | 46 | ||
| 39 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 36 | ||
| P. Samu | | 34 | ||
| 31 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 29 | | S. Vunivalu | ||
| 22 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 17 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 14 | ||
| F. Fainga'a | | 12 | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 6 | ||
| P. Samu | | 5 | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 1 |
| 5 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 4 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Brumbies host the Reds Saturday evening at GIO Stadium, Canberra. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:45pm (AEDT).
Last week, the Reds got a one-week break. The Brumbies got another type of break, winning the match from a monster kick after the whistle by their 183 cm scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan. The Brumbies, playing at home, trailed for almost the entire match. They were at serious risk of losing their first match in a long while. Instead, they have now won all three matches.
The Reds are on a two-game streak. They handily defeated the undersized Waratahs. They almost lost to the Rebels, saved by an errant kick by the Rebels’ Matt To’omua at death. Just before this, the Reds finally stopped quick taps that cost lost-point opportunities. This decision led to tries off the set-piece, which is the Reds’ staple diet.
Both the Reds and Brumbies were exposed by the Rebels. The Melbournites proved their northern contemporaries had glaring weaknesses in attack and discipline.
Today the set-piece will be interesting, partly because both teams are good at it. Also because of the various personnel changes, especially losses for the Brumbies. Captain Allan Alaalatoa is out for three rounds for a red card. James Slipper is injured for five weeks, along with hooker Connal McInerney who is out for the season. The Reds will try to take advantage of this. But the Brumbies pack are still a potent team, both in the set-piece and the loose.
This is a good opportunity for Reds’ reserve tighthead Zane Nonggorr, known as Baby Thor, to shine. But Folau Fainga’a, who returns as hooker, will be there to stop him. The back-five battle will be world-class with Pete Samu and Harry Wilson vying for the coveted role of Wallaby eight. The same can be said for all players in the pack, save for the injured forwards.
The halves and centres from both sides are in a similarly hot contest. Reds and Rugby fans will also be excited with the debut of Suliasi Vunivalu, the heavier and likely faster version of the Rebels’ Marika Koroibete. Both men were taken from the Melbourne Rebels.
Prediction
The Brumbies have some player disruption. But they have proven in the past that this does not really bother them. But if the Reds defend like how the Rebels did last week, they may win, however unlikely.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEDT)
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV: 9Gem
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Brumbies $1.65, Reds $2.22 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Brumbies
Tom Banks, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Mack Hansen, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Pete Samu, Tom Cusack (c), Rob Valetini, Cadeyrn Neville, Darcy Swain, Tom Ross, Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Harry Lloyd, Archer Holz, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Ryan Lonergan, Reesjan Pasitoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
Reds
Jock Campbell, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, James O’Connor (c), Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, Dane Zander
Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Hoopert, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Moses Sorovi, Bryce Hegarty, Josh Flook
Mirt
Roar Rookie
He might as well, cause he’ll be on the bench soon when they realise Uru is a way better lock. And I see Rodds has signed for the wasted farce as well
Charlie Turner
Guest
Let the record reflect this information!
Bobbles
Guest
all black props arent that good, if they were anygood they would have dominated the pommies in the world cup.Thor wont be bullied by the aigs.
Laif
Guest
Toomua is a Wallaby bench option only at best. He is not playing better than JOC and Noah at 10 and Simone and Hunter are far superior at 12.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Hey! That was the reserve tighthead out of Shute. The reserve loosehead came from John I Dent and the NRC.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
No thanks. Had the best pack in our competition and went through undefeated. :happy:
Charlie Turner
Guest
" I may be a forwards coach at schoolboy level, but a prop is a prop." Resign immediately :laughing:
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
CT you can't cherry pick deficiencies. The Brums props have anything to do with the tries from rolling mauls? Do their jobs at the rest of the lineout? I may be a forwards coach at schoolboy level, but a prop is a prop. and if you had read any of my other comments you would have found that I have suggested that the Reds pack needs to work on rolling maul defence. No excuses there.
soapit
Roar Guru
so long as the game clock wasnt ahead alls good
BroncoWA
Roar Rookie
Yeah, when it all got lost behind the posts, I was gobsmacked when the Baz put his hand up for the try. I was like Noooo!! ..then Yeaahh???
BroncoWA
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Stan was behind. Siren had gone when Thor kicked it out. Baz did glance up at the clock before blowing full time after the kick went out.
Charlie Turner
Guest
Its obvious you've never had any direct exposure to the front row. I'll leave it at there.
BroncoWA
Roar Rookie
Yes. But then he gave JOC a good ruffle of the hair in the sheds. All good, nothing to it.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
No, what happened?
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Won't disagree on your description of TT. But if you're picked in a team, whether it's 4ths at school or SR Au, you're there because you're supposed to be good enough. Blaming things on a reserve reserve front row is just a copout.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I’d say that the Saders and Blues are miles ahead of anyone either side of the ditch. How the Reds and Ponies shape up against the others who knows but I expect them to at least be competitive.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Coming in off your wing is classic rugby league.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
It's frustrating when smaller, less effective players take the ball close to the line when TT is available and ready to go.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
OO: Agree but I think this time is helping to build our teams up. Have no idea why but getting knocked over every week by Kiwi's was not doing our self-confidence much good. WIll be interesting once the finals get here.
Choppies
Roar Rookie
And Toomua