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Rebels
19
Match Complete
Queensland Reds
44
| 76 |  | J. Flook | ||
| M. Wells | | 66 | ||
| 62 | | J. Campbell | ||
| 56 |  | J. O'Connor | ||
| 47 |  | J. O'Connor | ||
| 45 | | F. McReight | ||
| M. Toomua | | 35 | ||
| R. Hodge | | 35 | ||
| M. Toomua | | 30 | ||
| F. Lomani | | 29 | ||
| 18 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 16 | | T. Tupou | ||
| 11 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 5 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 4 | | H. Paisami | ||
| 3 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 2 | | T. Tupou |
| 3 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Rebels host the Reds Saturday evening at AAMI Park, Melbourne. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match starting from 7:45pm (AEDT).
The Reds are comfortably sitting on the top of the Super Rugby AU table, with the Rebels needing to fight for third place against the Force and the Waratahs. All their matches, except for their 2019 win against the Reds, have been very close including a tie last year.
Rebels matches this year had an aura of a quality splashed with control and solid game management. The exception was the two late tries leaked against the Waratahs in their last match. Their forwards are strong and well-drilled. The backs, though not as exciting as the Reds’, are starting to become point-scorers.
The Reds are on a big roll, having won all their games so far. They have won with large margins against the Waratahs, but have survived others by the skin of their teeth. Their attack is very good. Their defence is solid, not letting competition break 20 points with the exception of two teams. One of them was the Rebels.
The most exciting players from the Rebels are the front-rowers: Pone Fa’amausili and Cabous Eloff. Like the Reds, most of their opponents do not breach 20 points, except the Reds and the Brumbies. Their defensive line is held by the same players throughout the weeks, with the exception of Lachie Anderson who misses out this week.
We should also expect Marika Koroibete to be great again. The Reds players across all positions will be guarding him very closely because he tends to break tackles and lines against all types of defensive structures.
The Reds have selected experienced outside backs this week, knowing their competition is more deadly. Playmakers Hegarty and Jock Campbell are fullback and wing, complemented by Hamish Stewart playing inside centre, which indicates a more dynamic attacking intent. Whilst their backrowers continue to lack some lateral mobility, their powerful forwards will aim to scrum the Rebels into submission. I think this combat will be close, again.
Regarding matchups, you should look out for the “Tongan Thor vs Pone” show, with over 250 kg of power and muscle running into each other at speed. Glorious. The other matchup is the two fly-halves from Queensland: James O’Connor and Matt Toomua. I think the Rebels’ backrowers have a better mix of power and mobility. But the Reds are well-drilled. So this will also be an excellent romp.
Prediction
It’s going to be close. The bookies favour the Reds, which is hard to argue against. The difference between the two will be the bench, and the Reds have a distinct advantage. But I think the Rebels has a good chance to win if they improve even more today.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match starting from 7:45pm (AEDT).
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEST)
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Live stream: Nine, Stan Sport
Betting: Reds $1.45, Rebels $2.74 (odds via PlayUp)
Rebels
1. Cabous Eloff, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Pone Fa’amausili, 4. Steven Cummins, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Josh Kemeny, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Michael Wells, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Matt To’omua, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Reece Hodge, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Frank Lomani, 15. Tom Pincus
Bench: 16. James Hanson, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Albert Anae, 19. Thomas Nowlan, 20. Robert Leota, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Lewis Holland, 23. Jeral Skelton
Reds
1. Feao Fotuaika, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Ryan Smith, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Jock Campbell, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Bryce Hegarty
Bench: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. Richie Asiata, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. Seru Uru, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Joshua Flook, 23. Filipo Daugunu
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Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.