The Brumbies will look to find some form as quickly as possible in their only pre-season trial game as they welcome the Western Force to Canberra with Round 1 of Super Rugby AU drawing closer. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 6pm (AEDT).
It’s easy to assume pre-season games are all a bit bland and just another chance for a club to sell a few bits of merch. But in a year where both fans and clubs have had rugby ripped away from them, every single chance to get on the pitch is precious.
The Brumbies are certainly looking to get back into the swing of things and Dan McKellar has announced a starting line-up with seven Wallabies, including a powerful pack that contains Rob Valetini, Pete Samu, James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a and Allan Alaalatoa.
While the Ponies will likely look to this experienced pack to set a good foundation, it’s in the backs where we see some more interesting stories to keep an eye on in this game.
Nineteen-year-old Reesjan Pasitoa is starting in the flyhalf position and will be keen to show off some of the talents that have caught the eye previously.
He’ll be joined by the returning Rod Iona who last played for the Brumbies back in 2015 who will start at centre. The three-Test Samoan international has played overseas for a while and will be keen to make an impact straight away in Super Rugby AU. With his power running, the Force midfield will need to be ready for some hardcore tackle practice.
Unfortuantely, the Brumbies will be missing the talents of Tom Wright. He’ll be out for roughly six weeks after picking up bone bruising on his knee in training.
The Force come to Canberra knowing they need to learn from this encounter against the Brumbies. Round 1 of Super Rugby AU will see these two teams face each other again over in Western Australia, so now is a great time to figure out how to beat them.
There’s a nice mix of youth and experience in the Force with a couple of names grabbing attention. We all know what Tevita Kuridrani can do but what makes his presence a bit more spicey is that he’ll line up against Len Ikitau, who was selected instead of Kuridrani in the Wallabies squad last year.
Also keep an eye out for Jack McGregor who will be wanting to build on his positive 2020 performances. He’s one of those players who many earmarked for big things from his early days but has had to deal with some horror runs of injuries. He had a good year last year and can play almost anywhere across the backs if needs be.
The Force have also brought in plenty of overseas talent including Tomas Cubelli, Domingo Miotti, Santiago Medrano, Tomas Lezana and 95 international-cap Irish legend Rob Kearney. Hopefully this group bonds together and compliment each other.
Prediction
Yes it’s pre-season and it doesn’t count, but it matters to the players and the clubs. With the quality in the pack, the Brumbies should control things pretty easily. Today though, do keep a lookout for the individual performances and how the combinations are clicking (or not) as they should impact selections for the early rounds of Super Rugby.
Brumbies by 15.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be an interesting match starting from 6pm (AEDT).
Kick-off: 6pm (AEDT)
Venue – Viking Park, Canberra
Live stream: Brumbies’ Facebook page and brumbies.rugby
Brumbies
1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Nic White, 10. Reesjan Pasitoa, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Rod Iona, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Mack Hansen, 15. Tom Banks
Bench: Scott Sio, Harry Lloyd, Tom Ross, Connal McInerney, Lachlan Lonergan, Nick Frost, James Tucker, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ryan Lonergan, Junior Tupou, Reece Tapine, Noah Lolesio, Tom Haddad, Corey Toole
Force
1. Angus Wagner, 2. Feleti Kaitu’u, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Tim Anstee, 6. Tomás Lezana, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Ian Prior (c), 10. Jono Lance, 11. Brad Lacey, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Byron Ralston, 15. Jack McGregor
Bench: Jack Winchester, Scott Tolmie, Chris Heiberg, Santiago Medrano, Tom Robertson, Greg Holmes, Sam Offer, Jackson Pugh, Manu Kololo, Ollie Callan, Tomás Cubelli, Michael McDonald, Jake McIntyre, Domingo Miotti, Henry Taefu, Jake Strachan, Grason Makara, Toni Pulu, Marcel Brache, Rob Kearney, Richard Kahui
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Looked like he’d swallowed Andrew Ready.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Force showed they will be very competitive this year. Pretty good trial match. Valentini was great.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
As close to a draw as you can get, not that it really matters in a trial. What did matter is that both sides played well after shaking out the cobwebs. I can’t wait for the real game on the 19th in front of the Sea of Blue. It’ll be a ripper.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I thought he nailed a couple early. Maybe that was Winchester. I assumed the lineout fell apart as he got tired
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Missed every line out throw though? You see that?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Thanks. He’s got potential if he gets fit.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I know Lance and TK were named but by the time I switched on Miotti and Brache were on and in jerseys 10 & 13 so I assumed there had been a late change
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Lance started at 10 I think and TK started too. Medrano was on late. Didn’t see the others. I think Thrush is having foot surgery Kearney got on too. Didn’t see much because was cooking dinner. Looked a step short of a gallop covering the Fines try
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
What a Game for a trial match with lots of cobwebs usually. Very impressed with the force. I thought defence backline breakdowns were all huge pluses. Set piece was good until the last quarter especially the line out. So good to finally have the right calibre of players at the force again
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Scott Tolmey born and raised Perth boy
jeznez
Roar Guru
That’s my guess based off the team lists.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Scott Tolmie?
jeznez
Roar Guru
This was a very large man that needs to lose a few excess kilos. He was actually going alright, be curious to have a look at him if he shed about 10kg
MO
Guest
I didn't see the game but the Force have young Jack Winchester from Qld. I don't think he's huge in terms of big but the internet suggests he's got talent if that's what you mean.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Don't think so - this guy was massive. At first I thought they might have put Medrano at hooker but I'm now guessing Scott Tolmie having looked at their published list. A fair few I didn't see or maybe just didn't notice today Ready, Medrano, McCauley, Thrush, Lance, Kuridrani. I had to switch away a bit in the back half, did Kearney get on?
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Was it Jack Winchester? If so he's a good young talent - Junior Wallaby, Aussie Schoolboy rep and come from Reds Academy
Oliver Matthews
Expert
FINAL SCORE Brumbies: 29 Force: 28 The Brumbies have had a successful run out in their only pre season game as they sneaked a one point win over the Force at Viking Park. Both sides will take positives from the match and the coaches will have also noted some issues that they will know need fixing for Round 1 where these teams will meet again. The Brumbies pack were always going to do their thing in the set piece and they proved crucial as the home side struggled to find ways of scoring in the loose or backs. Rob Valetini put in a good performance in both defence and with ball in hand and Nick Frost also got busy when he came on in the latter quarters. In the opening two quarters the Brumbies backs were less impressive and couldn't really find any consistency - they were forcing passes that weren't on and were then running into contact when they should have passed. That changed and got better when Noah Lolesio replaced Reesjan Pasitoa. The more experienced play maker took control of the game and started using his boot to direct his team around the field nicely. He pinned the Force back with some good kicks and also created try scoring opportunities with some lovely grubbers. It was nice to see the adjustment of plan - the Force defence was proving hard to break down and so the grubbers in behind the WA men was a good move and it worked well with Issak Fines-Leleiwasa scoring. The Force might have lost but they will take a lot from the game, especially when it comes to their defensive effort. They were well organised and worked hard every minute of the game. The old saying that defence wins titles carries a lot of weight and the Force are looking like a well drilled machine. In attack they prospered well when they attacked down their left side and scored a lovely try with some crisp back and forth passing to unlock the Brumbies. Domingo Miotti played hot and cold when he came on - he'll definitely bring a lot to the Force but he made some poor errors today that fans and coaches won't want to see come competition time. The experienced Richard Kahui gave the fans something to shout about as he scored crucial points for the Force and there's clearly still plenty of running in the Kiwi's legs. So things are shaping up well for both sides - still some work to do for sure for them to be where they want to be but there's lots to be excited about. Round 1 is just 10 days away - who do you think is going to start the season well when these two teams meet in Perth? Thanks for your support and comments today and see you again soon!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call Ollie. Who was that hooker for the Force at the back end of the game? He was huge!
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Nope! They lose the line out and the Brumbies kick the ball out to wrap up the game. Brumbies: 29 Force: 28 Time: 90:45
Oliver Matthews
Expert
PENALTY!! Force kick to touch and will have the line out on the Brumbies 10m line. Can they make something happen? Brumbies: 29 Force: 28 Time: 90:45