ACT Brumbies
23
Match Complete
Queensland Reds
17
| 69 |  | J. Petaia | ||
| N. Lolesio |  | 55 | ||
| L. Lonergan | | 54 | ||
| 51 | | J. Petaia | ||
| N. Lolesio |  | 49 | ||
| 46 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 46 | | H. Wilson | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 31 | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 27 | ||
| N. White | | 26 | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 10 |
| 2 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Australian rugby’s two premier sides duke it out in a Saturday night blockbuster as the ACT Brumbies host the Queensland Reds. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 7:35pm (AEDT).
Both sides are coming off wins in Super Round in Melbourne as the Reds piled on their biggest points tally ever in Super Rugby in a heavy win against the Force, while the Brumbies stunned the Blues in a master class of forwards dominance.
Stephen Larkham has made a few changes to his starting side, with some tactical changes, while the absence of Allan Alaalatoa is injury-enforced after a head knock.
The halves pairing of Wallabies duo Nic White and Noah Lolesio are back into the starting side, leaving Ryan Lonergan and Jack Debreczeni on the bench to close out the game.
The Brumbies forwards, who were excellent last week, have a slight edge over the Reds side who will need to be at their absolute best in order to give their backline space to run rampant.
Brad Thorn would have been impressed by Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Flook as they were excellent last week for the Reds and if Vunivalu and Corey Toole get in space or try to run each other down, it will be well worth watching.
There are enticing matchups right across the park and the back-row matchup of Rob Valetini, Rory Scott and Pete Samu up against Liam Wright, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson will be one for Eddie Jones to keep a close eye on and will go a long way to deciding this match.
Elsewhere, the fullback matchup of Tom Wright against Jordan Petaia will be one to see who can cement their place for the first Wallabies Test against South Africa in July.
The Brumbies will be hoping they are well in front before the benches are emptied as the Reds duo of James O’Connor and Jock Campbell look dangerous as they work back from injury and could be a deciding factor in the final 20 minutes.
Game information
Venue: GIO Stadium
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEDT)
TV: 9Gem
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Brumbies $1.52, Reds $2.55 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright.
Reserves: Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp, Tom Ross, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni,
Ben O’Donnell.
Reds (1-15): Dane Zander, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia.
Reserves: Richie Asiata, Sef Fa’agase, Peni Ravai, Connor Vest, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, James O’Connor,
Jock Campbell.
Referee: James Doleman
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
Yup, totally. Like a said, a poor performance.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Or the collapsed mauls?
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
What about the cleanouts from the side?
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
@ David What about all the ruck pilfers with people laying on the ground?
PeterK
Roar Guru
but he is correct that ref was poor in most areas not just the scrum, and the ruck and general play was to both. Only scrum favoured one team.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
That’s an easy comment to make. But the scrums seemed to be one team collapsing every time. That is favoring one team.
Dandaman
Roar Rookie
Agree with that. He did some good things but he has the odd game where he gets the yips, sign to bring him off early IMO.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
JP held his stock in that game, at least.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Lovely to see the humble and retired Lord in the dressing shed at half time. He doesn’t like d**kheads, maybe that’s why he resigned from the Wallabies. Reds close to matching the well trained and coached Brums. Interesting season ahead.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Agree- Petaia knocked two high balls on. Jock looked composed. What do you do. It’s all about balance- Jock still probably the best FB. Petaia with robe most individual skills - size and speed.
dave
Guest
Tom Wright got smoked by Petaia and half the team. Jordy outplayed him easy for the wallabies fb position and half the team smoked Wright. He got pushed off tackles with 1 hand like a child. Dagunu just holding him there with 1 hand outstretched was cringe and embarrassing for Wright. His stock sunk tonight he was made to look like a child.
Temujin
Guest
A bit painful for a Brumbies fan given we have watched Tupou mince our scrum for the past three seasons - would have been nice to get some payback, although there is always the return fixture where we can hopefully get another win.
Pogo
Roar Rookie
A lot of negative comments in here by armchair critics. This was a tough game by 2 teams capable of excellence and committed defense; which means errors. Yet there were some serious acts of flare in attack by both teams. You don’t win the championship by coming out too strong in February. Will they win; no idea but 3 from 3 against top teams for brums is not to be trivialised and is a stepping stone, nothing more nothing less.
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
I think the ref was very poor all round, not to one particular team, he missed a lot
Pogo
Roar Rookie
Yes
Racing Chicken Trainer
Roar Rookie
Where did JOC play when he came on?
Racing Chicken Trainer
Roar Rookie
I am happy I (1) Said I hadn’t watched. (2) Now I have a reason to watch!
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree, brumby dominant scrum, so reds collapse time and again and ref does nothing.
Qualify
Guest
Reds lost it in the 1st half. Not clinical enough at the breakdown and clearly the rest of the team lack confidence in Lynagh. Heads lifted when JOC came on. Too late though.
JC
Roar Rookie
A corker of a match for the neutral spectator. Thanks to both teams for putting on a show.