Brumbies
31
Match Complete
Lions
20
| 69 |  | S. Mahuza | ||
| C. Lealiifano |  | 59 | ||
| T. Wright | | 57 | ||
| T. Banks | | 54 | ||
| 49 | | E. Jantjies | ||
| 49 | | E. Jantjies | ||
| T. Kuridrani | | 38 | ||
| C. Lealiifano | | 27 | ||
| T. Pulu | | 26 | ||
| 24 |  | E. Jantjies | ||
| C. Lealiifano | | 21 | ||
| L. McCaffrey | | 20 | ||
| 6 | | A. Dyantyi |
| 5 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Brumbies look to keep their faltering season alive when the Lions visit GIO Stadium. Join The Roar for scores and a live blog of the game from 7:45pm (AEST).
Sitting fourth in the Aussie conference, with just two wins from seven games, the boys from Canberra really need a victory. Time is running out for them.
Last weekend they matched the Crusaders for a half and then faded away. They can’t afford to do it tonight.
The Brumbies welcome back Wallaby forwards Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a and Rory Arnold, which should give the pack some steel. They have a formidable tight five with a lot of experience.
David Pocock will miss the game as he continues his recovery from injury. Tom Wright has also been given a start at outside centre alongside veteran Tevita Kuridrani.
The Brumbies have a great record against the Lions having won 13 of their past 19 meetings.
But, crucially the Brumbies have lost their past two matches against the South African side in Canberra, and have not beaten them at GIO Stadium since 2010. Now is not the time to be complacent.
The Lions are coming off a 42-5 loss to the Sharks and sit fourth in the South African conference. They are also desperate for a win, with only the Jaguaraes behind them on the ladder.
The Lions will be without Warren Whiteley and Kwagga Smith through injury but their backline remains a real threat. They have Springboks to call on in the shape of Elton Jantjies and Malcolm Marx, and like to throw the ball around, attacking from different angles.
Prediction
Both teams have struggled this year, but I think the Brumbies might just grind this one out. Brumbies by seven points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:45pm AEST.
Where: GIO Stadium
When: 7:45pm AEDT
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Brumbies $1.50, Draw $26, Lions $2.70
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Tom Wright, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Pete Samu, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 James Slipper, 18 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Jahrome Brown, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Irae Simone, 23 Andy Muirhead
Lions
Andries Coetzee (86); Ruan Combrinck (68), Lionel Mapoe (116), Franco Naude (4), Aphiwe Dyantyi (20); Elton Jantjies (126), Nic Groom (70); Hacjivah Dayimani (17), Stephan Lewies (69), Cyle Brink (37), Marvin Orie (34), Rhyno Herbst (7), Johannes Jonker (28), Malcolm Marx (61), Nathan McBeth (3).
Replacements: Robbie Coetzee (45), Sti Sithole (20), Carlu Sadie (16), Wilhelm van der Sluys (12), Marnus Schoeman (24), Ross Cronje (81), Gianni Lombard (4), Sylvian Mahuza (34).
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Sio always seems to to start slow in Super rugby and comes good half way through the season. He's had plenty of time off or short minutes. Scott just looks a bit broken ATM. Had more ice in him than an Eskimo in a snow storm. He'll get better. The Ranga ???? Folau was ok ! CL played much better this week and the team seemed "composed," commentators gave Banks some stick - UMO, it was HIS best game of the season. Cannot wait for Poey to play all the remaking games - he's had a good rest.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Don’t care much for real names Ads who? ‘Lions No3 ‘ and ‘the Tah ranga’?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Good to hear Fionn. I missed the game. But happy for Banks. There may be a vacancy at 15?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Great effort by all. Brums backs have been poor but tonight they took advantage of their forwards. First half scrum seem to be with Lions but with Ponies in second half, culminating in slippers effort on the last one. Good to see what Wrighr can do although he mage costly mistakes as well. McCaffrey was great again tonight. Ref had a reasonable match. Season still alive
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Sio and Fainga were owned by the Lions number 3. Every scrum bar one in the first half resulted in a penalty or free kick with Sio head down kissing mud. Enter James Slipper, tightened up the Scrum for the ponies in the second half was industrious in tight with some good carries, tackles and a and an excellent pass to put a back away for a try. Can we move on from Sio as a must pick WallyB. Slipper, AAA, Kepu, Thor, JP and the tah ranga have all shown much more this year in the front row.
Dahl
Roar Rookie
Well done brumbies. Forward pack again dominant. Thought the scrums should have been ref’d a bit closer. And the Lions not rolling away could have been looked at more closely. Backline mostly performed. One or two errors here and there. Tom Wright yellow, kick out on the full in try scoring opportunity, couple of drop balls in good position. But then a brilliant solo effort. More bad than good, but maybe just nerves. Powell, CLL, Speight, Pulu, solid. Kuridrani and Banks, very strong performances (one poor penalty kick from Banks, pushing just s bit too much).
Double Agent
Guest
Tom Wright sure can run the football!! But he can't pass for shyte!!
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Nice win, was looking a little close there for a while but well done Brumbies.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Unfortunately, the booing of the opposition kicker by the crowd returned, Can’t stand that, but was happy with the result and really happy that Banks and TK are finding a bit of form.
riddler
Roar Rookie
great work brumbies. congrats fionn. revenge for yesterday!! 1 from 2. soon to be 2 from 3. c'mon qld!!
John Davidson
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT The Brumbies have kept their season alive with a 31-20 win over the Lions in Canberra. It was a bad start for the home team when Tom Wright was yellow-carded for a tip tackle in the fifth minute. The Lions used the extra-man advantage and scored straight after, Aphiwe Dyantyi touching down out wide. But the Brumbies hit back after sustained pressure, Liam McCaffrey barging over. Christian Lealiifano converted to give them an 8-5 lead. Elton Jantjies added a penalty in response before Toni Pulu scored a great try. The winger was released down the right and he used his speed to race in from 22 metres out. The Brumbies were on a roll and looking dangerous. Right before half-time a Lions turnover proved costly when it was hacked downfield. The ACT outfit chased well, won the ball back and Tevita Kuridrani strolled over. At the break they were ahead 19-8. In the second half the Lions started well, Jantjies stepping his way over for a nice individual try. His five-pointer and conversion cut it back to 19-15 and gave them hope. But the Brumbies quickly reasserted their dominance and built some pressure through patient play. It paid off when Tom Banks crossed in the corner. Eight minutes later Wright dummied and danced his way over brilliantly to seal the win. Lealiifano added the extras to make it 31-15. With 10 minutes left on the clock Sylvian Mahuza managed a final try for the visitors. But it was not enough as the Brumbies held on for the win at GIO Stadium.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
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Harry
Guest
Lot to like in that Brumbies win. Good performances 1 to 23. In SR you expect the home team to win against international oppo but somewhat evened out with the Staffa ref. Outstanding... Faingaa matching Marx, McCaffrey again, Banks test class and that scintillating moment from Tom Wright.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Brumbies hold on to notch the win. Important result for them. Brumbies 31 Lions 20
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'79 Brumbies get the scrum penalty. Quality effort from Slipper. Brumbies 31 Lions 20
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'78 Brumbies spill it and we come back for a scrum for the Lions. Brumbies 31 Lions 20
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'77 Now advantage to the Lions. Jantjies trying to conjure some magic. The Lions make a half break down the elft, but they knock it on. That's about game over now. Brumbies 31 Lions 20
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'75 Kuridrani goes for a gallop down the right flank. It goes to Jerome Brown but he loses it. Then the Lions run it to the left and throw a terrible pass that goes into touch. But there's a penalty and scrum feed to the Lions now. Last throw of the dice. Brumbies 31 Lions 20
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'73 Lions throwing it around. But good Brumbies defence wins the ball back. Brumbies just need to keep it in tight and play smart. Brumbies 31 Lions 20
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'71 Jantjies can't kick it from the sideline. Brumbies 31 Lions 20