Rebels
30
Match Complete
Brumbies
12
| 79 |  | W. Miller | ||
| M. Toomua |  | 52 | ||
| M. Toomua |  | 38 | ||
| J. Uelese | | 37 | ||
| M. Toomua | | 31 | ||
| R. Hodge | | 22 | ||
| 19 | | B. Kuenzle | ||
| 17 | | J. Powell | ||
| M. Toomua | | 16 | ||
| B. Wilkin | | 15 | ||
| R. Hodge | | 2 |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Melbourne Rebels face the challenge of taking on the undefeated ACT Brumbies outfit in a blockbuster clash at Leichhardt Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:05pm (AEST).
The Rebels will be looking to avenge their first-round loss to the Canberrans. A win will also endow Melbourne side with a chance to take the second spot off the Reds, who are only ahead by a single bonus point. Both the Rebels and Brumbies are buoyed by last week’s hard-fought victories.
Historically the Brumbies have won more than half of their games against the Rebels, but they haven’t claimed back-to-back wins in this fixture since 2015.
ACT coach Dan Mckellar has made two changes to the run-on side from last week, with vice-captain Tom Cusack and winger Andy Muirhead returning to the starting XV. Australian under-20s scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will make his first appearance in the new competition coming off the bench.
Rebels coach Dave Wessels has shifted Matt To’omua to inside centre and given Andrew Deegan the reins at flyhalf. Frank Lomani will start at scrumhalf position Ryan Louwrens, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured bicep.
For the Rebels to emerge victorious, they will need To’omua to continue his exceptional form and dogged defence, which was a highlight of their win against the Force last week.
In past games, the Brumbies have relied on their rolling maul to produce results and no doubt will continue the same strategy tonight. If Melbourne can improve their discipline and counter the Brumbies’ rolling maul, they will go some way to ending the Ponies’ undefeated streak.
The Brumbies have lacked Noah Lolesio’s aggressive attack since losing him to injury, however Bayley Kuenzle has stepped up to the challenge and will be crucial in securing a Brumbies win.
Prediction
This will be a close, hard-fought match which will ultimately be decided on the basis of defensive efforts and team discipline. While the Rebels have the opportunity to win, the Brumbies’ excellent rolling maul means I’ll be tipping the men from the nation’s capital.
Brumbies by 8.
Game Information
Kick-off: 7:05pm (AEST)
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Referee: Graham Cooper
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner, Reuben Keane
TMO: George Ayoub
Betting: Brumbies $1.43, Rebels $2.85
Teams
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Josh Kemeny, 7. Brad Wilkin, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Andrew Deegan, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Matt To’omua (c), 13. Campbell Magnay 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Reece Hodge
Bench: 16. Efitusi Ma’afu, 17. Jacobus Eloff, 18. Vaiilli Fa’amausili, 19. Michael Stolberg, 20. Richard Hardwick, 21. Rob Leota, 22. James Tuttle, 23. Billy Meakes
Brumbies
1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Bayley Kuenzle, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks
Bench: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Will Miller, 20. Ben Hyne, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Mack Hansen, 23. Len Ikitau
zubrick
Roar Rookie
frank lomani looked very good at halfback for the rebel
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I too wanted to see Ned tried at 8 but now I think lock is best for him ..... smallish yes but look how high he gets up in the line outs
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Perhaps. PitY he wasn’t picked as he deserved to be last year in Japan.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I like Ned and he's improved each and every season so far. I had wanted him to move to 8 but think it's right that he's a small lock with a massive engine. Part of my wish for him at 8 was the form or lack of form from Dempsey but wow what a game he had last night, that was Jack's best performance in years. Bit of a shame Ned is off to Japan but while he's showing he can perform at Super AU I think him performing as a lock for the Wallabies is probably a step too far. With Simmons, Ned and Jed all departing, I feel the urgency to develop Tafa and/or McCauley is critical but now that the Tahs are in third spot Penney has to just keep fully focussed on winning. Force will be a great test for this group in the next game, can the team put in back to back strong performances?
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Yeah Jez, Ned is smallish for a lock but he does ok and it appears that Penney will keep playing him at lock especially as Simmons is leaving. Ned can play 80 minutes. He is not going to smash blokes in tackles, but he does make his tackles and his cleanouts have improved. His locking in the scrum is also pretty good, and he is mobile. One thing I noticed last night in Horton's rolling maul try was Hanigan's involvement ..... he jumped and brought the ball down setting the maul, he was pulled down by the defenders but was back on his feet and rejoined for the second drive, then he was in place to finally drive Horton over the line ..... thats real good second and third efforts. Its a real pity that his PR suffers from being brought into the WBs too soon.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He may well make it. As I said if I was picking the side I’ve got LSL and Philip in there and unsure on the third. The key reason I don’t automatically endorse him for that spot is Simmons has only had one good game all year (v the Brumbies). Ned’s doing very well in the lineout, he’s just small for lock.
soapit
Roar Guru
Ha ha yes I thought of my earlier comments here when they brought up the ladder
soapit
Roar Guru
Disagree on a few points and others I think your making to much out of but I didn't say if pick him anyway
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Well Hanigan called the Tahs LO against the Reds and gave them an absolute shellacking ..... LSL is NOT a lineout general, he is a jumper only. I would not be surprised to see Simmons in the WBs ..... to win your own lineouts is absolutely crucial now and you need a a hooker who can throw where called and a LO caller who can anticipate other team defensive efforts. Those things cannot be learned in just a couple of weeks of squad training.
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
Soap, I get what you’re saying about 3 team finals series in a 5 team Comp, they probably should just play the final, but in a year disrupted by Covid and limited rugby being played I’m happy to see one more match. On top of that it looks like the Waratahs just changed the “could have predicted the final 3” type thing that we both thought.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Agree, but maybe desperate times. Reds have 9's, Ponies cupboard is pretty bare of a serviceable 10. Personally I am not an advocate
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Doesn't mean Gwnia is going to be playing for the reds. The franchises have moved on
Dean
Roar Rookie
That is my concern. Played too early?
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
I am happy with hodge at fullback but I also think he has the skill set and size for 13
Guess
Roar Rookie
Woulda shoulda kiwi came on Australian site to remind about NZ rugby. Cause nobody cares otherwise. Doesn’t matter how good NZ is. They don’t play against Aussie teams anymore.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Not the Chiefs. They are the same as the Force. ZERO.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
100%. Lance just popped in weeks prior to the first game. There has been 0 certainty and I think they have done amazingly to recruit as well as they have so far. If we are locked in for next season then you can bet we will have a more competitive team.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Pone looked like he didn't know what to do out there for some of it. He was just jumping into rucks when they had already been won, taking him out of the game completely.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Apparently Simmons is still on Rennies radar. I think he is a certainty for atleast bench spot
Bobby
Roar Rookie
No. A lot of guys playing on Japan are eligible I think. Genia was playing for GPS today.