Roar Guru
Crusaders
36
Match Complete
Brumbies
14
B. Cameron | 80 | |||
77 | C. Lealiifano | |||
76 | T. Kuridrani | |||
B. Cameron | 73 | |||
S. Reece | 72 | |||
R. Mo'unga | 71 | |||
J. Taufua | 70 | |||
R. Mo'unga | 57 | |||
W. Jordan | 56 | |||
W. Jordan | 53 | |||
R. Mo'unga | 44 | |||
S. Reece | 43 | |||
33 | C. Lealiifano | |||
32 | C. Lealiifano |
5 | Tries | 2 | ||
4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Brumbies will be looking to replicate the Waratahs’ success against the Crusaders, when they meet the defending champions in Christchurch. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 3:15pm AEDT.
The Australian conference is up for grabs. The Rebels are in good nick – although a loss to the Sunwolves would shake that up, the Tahs are hot and cold, and the Reds aren’t yet convincing. As for the Sunwolves, well they can cause some damage, but aren’t a heavyweight.
So the Brumbies, with one of the better Super Rugby rosters, can really prove a point with a win today. Not to mention it’s against the short-priced favourites for the title.
It’s hard to know what to think of this Canberra team. A loss to Queensland, another defeat to the Hurricanes and two losses to the Rebels don’t paint a good picture, but a win versus the Waratahs and demolition job of the Chiefs put them in a better light.
The Cantabrians have won their last seven against the Brumbies, dating back to February 2009, when the ACT side last beat them.
Only one loss mars their great 2019 record: the 20-12 defeat to NSW, in Sydney.
For the Crusaders: Tim Bateman, Mitchell Drummond and Waikato flyer Sevu Reece all fit into the Crusaders backline, while Kieran Read has been declared good to go.
Read will be partnered in the back row by Ethan Blackadder, who is the son of former coach Todd Blackadder, and Matt Todd will captain the team from openside.
Owen Franks and Joe Moody link up in the front row.
Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a and Rory Arnold are all rested, while David Pocock’s calf injury keeps him from playing.
Allan Ala’alatoa and Toni Pulu come into the Brumbies starting XV however.
Prediction
Crusaders to be too strong at home, winning by 15.
Time: 3:15pm AEDT.
Venue: AMI Stadium.
Referee: Jacob Peyper.
Odds: Crusaders $1.03, Brumbies $12.50.
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Quinten Strange, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Matt Todd (C), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. Ryan Crotty (VC), 13. Tim Bateman, 14. Will Jordan, 15. David Havili.
Bench: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Harry Allan, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Sam Whitelock (VC), 20. Jordan Taufua, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Brett Cameron, 23. Leicester Faingaanuku.
Brumbies
1. James Slipper, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Murray Douglas, 6. Pete Samu, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Lachlan Mccaffrey, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Toni Pulu, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Tom Banks.
Bench: 16. Connal Mcinerney, 17. Vunipola Fifita, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Sam Carter, 20. Jahrome Brown, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23. Andy Muirhead.
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