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 |
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.
Trytime
Guest
The brumbies are 2nd last. They will not make finals. Coach Mckelkar is useless. Keeps on telling us what we already know! Put Fisher back in there.
rebel
Roar Guru
No it wasn't.
Pete
Guest
Impressive win by the Crusaders but really the broadcast on Fox was terribly annoying by the female commentator had to turn the volume down...
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Game of 2 halves. Ponies good in first half and took it to them. Second half Saders seemed to possession and flow. Couple of yellows didn't help but were deserved. Happy with Brums scrum but nothing in second half. Reserves didn't help.
Double Agent
Guest
Do you ever watch something during a game and everyone on the TV is telling you one thing but your eyes are telling you something different? This happens quite often in Rugby. I feel like that 1984 George Orwell bloke. I watch endless replays of Owen Franks' shoulder hitting Speight's face but the ref and the commentators and the TMO keep saying the hit was to the chest. But I keep seeing Speight's face get smashed backwards and I wonder WTF is going on here? I check my drink. I'm still on beer so that can't be it. I'm thinking didn't Higginbotty get a red and a few weeks for something about the same? I dunno I give up.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
this effectively means you have to throw games etc Yeh, that's it in a nutshell isn't it. Cheers.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yeah, you can’t win missing that many tackles in a half. We need to sort out or second halves, concerning trend where we throw away games in the first 20 mins of second halves.
Bluesfan
With the way that the comp is organized and the requirement to rest players for the Wallabies think that the Brumbies coach did the smart thing. Reality is that even at full strength it was unlikly that the Brumbies would win and further the key for the Brumbies is to be No.1 for the Oz conference. So if you have to rest players etc - this was realistically the best game to do so. The reality of professional rugby is that you need to think strategically and work out what you need basis the end of seasion points table. If this effectively means you have to throw games etc - then I guess so be it.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Great first half! Cheers KP
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Bluesfan, just exploring the Brumbies thinking here, but I just wonder about the wisdom of the Brumbies sending a B team over to play the best team in the comp this week. I question whether in fact this does longer-term damage to players ongoing mentality or it's a case of the ol' stiff upper lip "so boys, get out there and go do your finest" knowing full well they're going to get toweled up? Is all experience good experience? Does this experience for some of the Brumbies squad rub salt into the wounds of the loss? Regardless, do players just get back up next week and shrug it all off? On a parallel road, my local team has decided to drop down a grade this year due to a number of factors. But the main one is that they knew they weren't up to the required standard because their squad size and depth is weaker this year, and some key positions are too thin. Running out to get flogged each week does not necessarily help you become a better player or team. It's purely hypothetical but it seems to me that I would have erred on the side of sending a near full strength Brumbies team to play the best team.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Don’t be too dejected Fionn, it was “one of those days”
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
There was some great rugby in the second half. Unfortunately, none of it was from us.
Bluesfan
Impressive performance from the Brumbies - Class told in the end, but I would be pretty happy if I was a Brumbies supporter, as a lot of easy fixes to sort out their issues - tackle lower etc and with a lot of players missing - have a 38 year old Hooker!
Tom English
Roar Guru
Thanks very much for joining me, unfortunately I couldn't bring it all to you, but I'll see you later for Blues vs Waratahs. FULLTIME. Crusaders 36 Brumbies 14
Faith
Roar Rookie
Brumbies first half intensity caught up with them. Cards did not help ...
Tom English
Roar Guru
An almost scoreless first half, before the Brumbies scored once, but the Saders steamed out of the blocks to tally a number of tries. Great win, by 22 points. Two yellow cards hurt the Brumbies oh so much. FULLTIME. Crusaders 36 Brumbies 14
80
Tom English
Roar Guru
Down the middle. FULLTIME. Crusaders 36 Brumbies 14
Tom English
Roar Guru
Siren sounds! Crusaders opt the penalty, just to wind it down. '81 Crusaders 33 Brumbies 14
Tom English
Roar Guru
Brumbies taking it forward after the scrum, knocked on however, and an offside penalty. '80 Crusaders 33 Brumbies 14