Brumbies
26
Match Complete
Blues
21
| C. Lealiifano |  | 68 | ||
| F. Fainga'a |  | 66 | ||
| 63 |  | H. Plummer | ||
| 58 | | H. Plummer | ||
| C. Lealiifano | | 55 | ||
| F. Fainga'a | | 53 | ||
| C. Lealiifano | | 37 | ||
| J. Slipper | | 36 | ||
| 22 | | O. Black | ||
| F. Fainga'a | | 19 | ||
| 9 | | O. Black | ||
| 9 | | C. Clarke | ||
| 7 | | T. Faiane |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
After two weeks on the road (in South Africa and Argentina), the Brumbies return to the ACT for Round 12 of the Super Rugby, where they’ll host the Blues. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog, starting from 7:45pm AEST.
They will be hoping that the jet lag is not too severe, as they come up against a Blues side fresh off a bye. After a week off, you can bet your life the Blues will be absolutely raring to go for this one.
The Blues’ form has been inconsistent this year. They’re fourth in the New Zealand conference, behind the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Crusaders.
They’ve played some impressive rugby at times this year, recording victories over the Sunwolves, Highlanders, Stormers and Waratahs.
The ageless Ma’a Nonu has really stood up for the Blues, scoring six tries this season and setting up seven in his return to Super Rugby. The big redhead Tom Robinson has also been very strong in the back row.
However, the Blues have struggled in defence this year. They’ve conceded an average of almost 24 points per game – even when they win they generally concede plenty of points, defeating the Waratahs 32-29, or the Highlanders 33-26. Simply put, they will lose more often than not if they don’t fix their defence.
Injuries have also contributed to the Blues’ lack of consistency, with stars Sonny Bill Williams and Owen Franks both missing for extended periods, including this game.
The Brumbies are in third place in the Australian conference, although a bonus point victory in this game could propel them to the top depending on other results.
Like the Blues, they too have been quite patchy this season. However, their form over the last few weeks has been quite good, defeating both the Lions and the Stormers, and going down in a close one to the Jaguares in Argentina.
With both teams having plenty to play for in terms of ladder position in their respective conferences, this will certainly be a very interesting and hard-fought game.
Prediction
It’s difficult to pick the Blues in this one given they’re yet to win away from home this season. Compounding this is the fact that the Brumbies have a very strong home record this year, losing just once to the Rebels who are atop the Australian conference.
This will be a close game with plenty of tries scored (the Brumbies concede an average of 26.2 points per game) as both sides’ defence has been quite poor this year.
I’m backing the home team in this one.
Brumbies by 3!
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:45pm AEST.
Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra
When: 7:45pm
TV: Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports
Brumbies (15-1)
Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Toni Pulu, Christian Lealiifano (c), Joe Powell, Pete Samu, Jahrome Brown, Tom Cusack, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper
Reserves: Connal McInerney, Scott Sio, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Darcy Swain, Murray Douglas, Ryan Lonergan, Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead
Blues (15-1)
Melani Nanai, Matt Duffie, TJ Faiane, Ma’a Nonu, Caleb Clarke, Otere Black, Sam Nock, Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson (c), Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman
Reserves: James Parsons, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu, Dalton Papalii, Augustine Pulu, Harry Plummer, Levi Aumua
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah its a ken thing…still stuck back in that maul fifty years ago. ????
taylorman
Roar Guru
True, marginally. :-)
Alli Anz
Roar Rookie
It’s not boring, it’s just another way of winning. Better than only kicking penalty goals to win a game.
Alli Anz
Roar Rookie
The Blues scrum was on roller skates, and they gave away one dumb penalty after the other. Don’t be salty mate. If you don’t want to watch scrums and mauls as part of the game, there’s always League.
Dahl
Roar Rookie
Haha. Both starting props binned. Dominant scrums. Dominant lineouts. Four front row tries. Hard metres gained one and two off the ruck. Did i miss something?
Kirky
Roar Rookie
This happens every Season mate, with as a rule the Brumbies on top of a very weak Aussie' Conference, and then!!! they get to play the big boys where the rugby is played properly and hopefully with a decent Referee! ~ Check the TOTAL points and Ladder Numbers for the South African Franchise and the Aussie' Franchisee's as opposed to the New Zealand numbers ~ both lacking in numbers big time!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Dominance in the Forwards ~ What game were you watching mate? Cool Aussie Ref too cobber!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Catchy! ~ Get that eye patch off buttercup, you know it as well as anybody who saw that game that the game was a crock of crap by the Brumbies winning being ably assisted by a seriously sub standard Referee, and don't waffle on about the Blues giving away penalties as they did as the Brumbies were no better but they were lucky as they only had to be on the Park to win as they were playing with impunity from the assistance from a terrible Refereeing display!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
The Refereeing in this game was up there with the worst display of adjudicating of a Rugby game that I have ever seen in my long association with the game that I have ever seen! ~ To say the Brumbies were dominant is a misnomer as all they did was attempt to create the old Brumby style pushover try! ~ That Referee absolutely pulverised the Blues with Penalty after penalty for what reason I know not, but the Blues had just got to the stage that they gave up, they were not allowed to play by the crazy rule interpretations of this Referee! ~ The Blues Skipper questioned this guy several times and after some discussion, each time he just walked away shaking his head! ~ The Blues had one of the best Props in the game and an All Black to boot yellow carded for seemingly ''not pushing straight'' whatever that means! ~ I doubt that any Team whoever it may be will never complain about fair Refereeing, but that was just ''not fair''! ~ I hope someone from the Referees Association has a look at that display!
CUW
Roar Rookie
yes we want more Gardeners and Murkeys and maybe throw in a Second LOL wanna be Nigels - that what they are- DUH :P
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
You were going well there cynical till you ripped into Powell and started rating halfbacks.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Or maybe the leaders of rugby have seen the cost that cynical play has on a game. Blues and Canes the pick of the cynics this week. But I haven’t watched the Saders yet. But to be fair they have talent and smarts in Christchurch that dilutes the cynicism to an extent. The Blues just did not seem to understand that there was an offside line, a side angle and that a refs warning mean something Were they expecting Nic Berry’s cardless pocket? I am sick of cynical play. I’m with Brett McKay. Let’s card cynicism out of the game. Nic Berry a big fail this week. Cardless and gutless in Wellington.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes Mick Powell has a quick service. Very fast to the back of rucks. I am starting to imagine him serving Quade. He doesn’t have Genia’s strength or running game but he is still very good. Speight had a great game. Looked much better than Koroibete this week. Samu making himself at home in Canberra. No Pocock No McCaffrey No rest No worries.
Dahl
Roar Rookie
Brumbies clearly played to their strength in the set piece and forwards based game. Sensible choice really. Two tries to Blues were soft and gifts from the home side. Intercept try from a particularly poor option from CLL. The blues infringed far too frequently. Hence the penalty count. I thought they could easily have lost another player for 10 given how cynical their defense was in their own quarter. Does Tana often run out as water boy to instruct his troops? Did so for most of the first half last night. An interesting, and nice to observe, alternative to sitting in the box. Win was down to dominance in the forwards. Blues backline looked the stronger. Nonu was a constant threat. Brums did a pretty good job of limiting his influence though.
Eccles
Roar Rookie
Pass too loopy and slow? Powell has by far the best pass of the Aus halfbacks, including Genia. Your biases are showing; including a non-running half like Two Steps Back Phipps in your list proves it.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Finally got a chance to watch this game. Brumbies show what you can do when you hold onto the pill. Very good at going for 5-10 plus phases in attack. Just need a little more creativity. With all the ball and possession they should've scored more. Rebels and brumbies both dominating NZ forward packs, very encouraging.
Floyd
Roar Rookie
The ref in that game certainly had a brumbies jumper on ... the worsted referring I have seen in my life time, and I played for 35 years and have been watching for the last 31 years. They need to have a replacement Ref available as that Ref should have been RED Carded. Avid rugby supporter but losing interest fast. Floyd
Stu B.
Guest
That was the most biased refereeing ever seen from 4 Australian refs so pathetic and embarrassing and I don't even like the Blues. I can understand why we are such a failure the big stage with neutral refs.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Geez three boring pushover tries for the win. Northern rugby seems to be invading.
CUW
Roar Rookie
Blues never had a chance - Murrky the rubbish new addition to the reffing panel with Gardener still suffering from his tantrum . I fear for the world cup - coz some of these guys are going to be there and looking at the performances its going to be hell. Jackson has been cut from the list and wonder who takes his spot ?? The SANZAAARR cut off the best Asian ref Kubo for this rubbish. Murrky cannot take a decision on his own - the touchies decide it for him - if u doubt me go watch his last match . and this is supposed to be SUPER RUGGER - DUH