Brumbies
33
Match Complete
Sunwolves
0
| C. Lealiifano |  | 65 | ||
| P. Samu |  | 64 | ||
| C. Lealiifano | | 52 | ||
| T. Banks | | 51 | ||
| H. Speight | | 26 | ||
| C. Lealiifano | | 17 | ||
| J. Powell | | 15 | ||
| C. Lealiifano | | 14 | ||
| H. Speight | | 12 |
| 5 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
A rare Sunday afternoon game will wrap up Round 13, with the Brumbies in the race for the finals, while the Sunwolves will look to sink their ship, when they meet at GIO Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 4:05pm AEST.
As mentioned, the race to the finals is on. With just five rounds remaining after this game, clubs are desperate to get a roll on.
While the Brumbies still have a bye, and aren’t in the top eight, they enjoy one of the easier runs home, playing the Sunwolves today and in Round 16, before hosting the Waratahs and taking on the Reds, with a Bulls fixture in there as well.
With only three points in differential separating them from the eighth-ranked Stormers, who sit out this weekend, the Brumbies have a prime opportunity to lift themselves into the conference lead, if the Rebels also lose.
Such is the ladder this year, two easily-achievable bonus point wins against Super Rugby’s worst team would, if the points were awarded now, put them up to second on the overall table, but regardless of when they come, they’ll be welcome.
The Sunwolves won’t be playing finals, although they trail the Stormers by just 12 points, they’ve only accumulated 12 points so far, so while a finals appearance is definitely possible, it’s unlikely with their run home, which includes a tour to South Africa and Argentina.
The Sunwolves have one notable change: Hayden Parker drops to the pine, with Yu Tamura instead running out at flyhalf.
For the Brumbies, Darcy Swain comes in for Rory Arnold, who’s injured, as Scott Sio comes in for Slipper, with the K-train, Tevita Kuridrani taking over from Len Ikitau.
The Brumbies should be too strong on home turf.
Venue: GIO Stadium.
Time: 4:05pm AEST.
Referee: Damon Murphy.
Odds: Brumbies $1.16, Sunwolves $5.
Brumbies
Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Irae Simone, Toni Pulu, Christian Leali’ifano; Pete Samu Jahrome Brown, Tom Cusack, Sam Carter, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio.
Replacements: Connal McInerney, James Slipper, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Blake Enever, Murray Douglas, Ryan Lonergan, Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead.
Sunwolves
Ryohel Yamanaka, Gerhard van der Heever, Josh Timu, Phil Burleigh, Jason Emery, Yu Tamura, Kaito Shigeno, Rahboni Warren Vasayaco, Dan Pryor, Hendrick Tui, Grant Hattingh, Mark Abbott, Hiroshi Yamashita, Shota Horie, Masatake Mikami.
Replacements: Jaba Bregvadze, Conan O’Donnell, Takuma Sahara, Tom Rowe, Kara Pryor, Ben Gunter, Jamie Booth, Hayden Parker.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Rotham?
Markus
Roar Rookie
As impressed as I have been with the Brumbies 2nd (almost 3rd) string backrow keeping things going, the team will go up another level if all of Pocock, McCaffrey and Valetini are able to make it back for the tail end of the season. Apparently the Brums are in talks with Will Miller as cover in the event Pocock heads off after the RWC. I don't think he would provide significantly more than the likes of Cusack or Jahrome Brown, and think they would be better off trying to scout a young tall Mowen/Fardy style blindside, or powerful ball running number 8 like Timu. If they really want another openside, they should go younger. Fraser McReight looks like a prospect but I doubt the Reds will want to let him slip through.
numpty
Roar Rookie
I'd be more than happy with Hodge and DHP on at the same time, I just think they're very similar players and so wouldn't mind someone on there who offers something else. Naivalu's defence isn't good enough imo and I think he would be targeted with kicks. Speight is playing much better after a stint in the NH and is one of the best defensively which is a big tick for me. He may not be scoring plenty but he does all the little things right.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
He actually reminds me more of a Roff!
riddler
Roar Rookie
no. in one word! tk is our best 13 till jordan p gets fit.
riddler
Roar Rookie
great win brumbies. congrats fionn and brumbies fans. my tipping was atrocious. 1 from 3.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Speight had a great game but his star has passed. I think hodge or naivalu (even though he has recently not played as well).
Bleedsgreenand gold
Roar Rookie
I agree. As much as I love the Reds, they are at the stage where they are grinding out games and are hanging in there, close enough but not quite there yet on a regular basis. Much better than last year though. In saying that, I'm enjoying watching the Brumbies as well. I didn't catch this one, but I saw the match against the Blues which was a good team effort.
Bleedsgreenand gold
Roar Rookie
Fionn, could Hodge be our missing No13?
BledisloeAsUsual
Guest
Brumbies the only Oz teams that feels like they have a structure to why they win. The other oz sides just feel like something clicked for them on a good day that they don’t really know how to replicate.
Clash
Roar Pro
Mom's? Effing Mom's? Which part of America dae you hale from then Ad? ????????????
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
You’ve articulated my thoughts far more clearly than I could have, numpty!
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Hodge is an excellent defender. DHP, Banks and Hodge is a back three I also wouldn’t be unhappy to see named for the first RC round.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
I'd prefer Banks at 15 but Hodge would be my second choice above DHP. WBs need to harness those big boots! Hodge possibly the best defender of the three as well Wing is really open with nobody really nailing it down. I suppose Koro will walk it in but it will be interesting to see
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Sounds like a perfect mr fix it off the bench! I’m a bit biased, but I prefer my outside backs to be elusive rather than just hard runners. Hodge, for me, doesn’t quite have the intelligence, ball playing and elusive feet of DHP; is far less dangerous with ball in hand than Banks; and with Speight less elusive again. He might be a better 13 than TK one day, but not yet! I wouldn’t be unhappy to see Hodge played above Speight or DHP, not wouldn’t be my first choice ????
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Yes Equal Yes Haha! Looked great at inside and outside centre too! As I said during the rebs game, get that guy a gold jersey!
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
We’ve played one more match than the other sides. We probably have the easiest draw for the rest of the season though.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Well he may be the difference at the business end, Fionn. But with respect and I know I’m being selfish, I would rather his dwindling fitness be spent at the higher level.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
The Brumbies are gonna win the Aussie conference ...
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I totally agree! But is he a better fullback than DHP? Is he a better wing/fullback option than Banks? Is he a better wing than Speight? Maybe, but not convinced! I love Hodge though.