Super 15: Brumbies - Lions in Canberra (14-05-2011)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

This year the Brumbies are not even close to the play offs that will lead to the ***le, which they won in 2001 and 2004. The side will lose Adam Ashley-Cooper to the Waratahs, and they need some reinforcements. Last weekend they lost 34-16 to the Sharks after being 6-16 up at half-time. A week before they conceded 4 tries in Bloemfontein, losing to the Cheetahs (also part of the Cats that they liked playing so much before), despite scoring more tries. With Giteau back at 10, things may improve, and at home against the Lions, is different than playing in Bloemfontein or Durban.

The Lions have been poor these last few years. This year they only have beaten the Cheetahs in round 4, but when playing them at home last weekend, they were thrashed 19-53 including a hat-trick of tries by full-back Riaan Viljoen. The Jo'burg side, lead by John Mitchell, has been suffering and is in need of serious reinforcements. The names of Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn, Luke Watson and Butch James have been linked with the Transvaal side in recent times, while Kockott, Murray, Cilliers and Rhodes have moved there from the Sharks. They have enough talent in the back-line but, like many other teams, lack serious defensive qualities.

While Johannesburg has been the venue of the highest scoring game in Super Rugby ever (65-72 in 2010 between the Lions and Chiefs), Brumbies' home ground has also been one where there have been massive scores. In 1996 a 40-34 win over the Blues, 44-31 over the Sharks and 70-26 over the Highlanders in the inaugural season to name a few, but in matches against the Lions (or Cats until 2005), they also played some high scoring matches. a 64-16 win in 2002, a 68-12 win in 2004 but most impressive was in 2000, when the Brumbies won 64-0, with 9 tries in total, including 3 by Owen Finegan.


2010 Brumbies 24-13 Lions
2009 Lions 25-17 Brumbies
2008 Brumbies 28-21 Lions
2007 Lions 9-14 Brumbies
2006 Brumbies 28-7 Lions
2005 Cats 29-34 Brumbies
2004 Brumbies 68-28 Cats
2003 Cats 34-32 Brumbies
2002 Brumbies 64-16 Cats

 

[Amobokoboko]

Lions for the win.

 

[Darwin]

I'm picking the Brumbies to take this one by 7+, especially if the Lions defense is as poor as it was against the Cheetahs last week. The Cheetahs scored 5 tries, but could potentially have scored double as many...

 

[Cassie]

The poor lions hope they can pick up a win but I am not sure they will, they are really in a bad state right now. No idea what is going on with the team they are looking down and out, all they need is a very strong performance overseas to help with the confidence look what it did to the cheetahs.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yeah, Lions are still thewhipping boys of the competition. At the start they flattered to deceive but those were derbies which are always tighter. Butch James will be an improvement but the problem is not just a lack of direction. Brumbies should win this comfortably but then again I've been backing them a number of times this year where they have underperformed.

 

[Seaton]

Tough ask for the Lions, as much as I try to I can't seem them getting anything out of this match

 

[Larksea]

no suprise everyone is betting their house on the brumbies 7+. It wasn't clear for a while just who the worst team was this year but last weekend cleared that all up.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Nine changes to the team and (again) another captain.
I think the ship has sank for the Lions this year.
Still hoping they will be hoping to score some points.
http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=30256

 

[Sam Owen]

Brumbies in Canberra is tough.

Brumbies.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Man o man, Lions are on fire today in Canberra! 100th game for Giteau and after being 10-0 up, they were eventually 10-22 behind. At this stage it's 13-29 and the Lions have scored their bonuspoint try already!!!

 

[Seaton]

Some people are going to be out of a fair whack of dosh at this rate
Surves ya rite fir dowtin' da Lions!!!

It seems his wee break on the sideline has down Jantjies form a world of good, he has been in a class of his own today

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Jantjies is having a brilliant game. Truly remarkable, compared to his early stints this season.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Lions counter-rucking is absolutely amazing. In 10 minutes I've seen 4 turn overs. They look like a decent team at last.

 

[lucky number 7]

This just lost me a considerable sum...

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Brumbies score a late try but it seems useless since they are still 9 points behind so no bonus point

 

[Amobokoboko]

Told you the Lions would win it.
Pity I didn't have any cash left otherwise I would have bet on it.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

You do have 1500 now so just put money on the Lions' opponents next week since the Lions never win twice in a row haha

 

[Seaton]

What happens when you lose all your vBookie money?

I'm really glad for the Lions, what an effort

I really am **** poor at predictions

 

[Amobokoboko]

Will see who they are playing. Have a game as well so will not be able to watch the game.

 

[lucky number 7]

What happens when you lose all your vBookie money?

I'm really glad for the Lions, what an effort

I really am **** poor at predictions

One of the mods come over to your house and beat you repeatedly demanding their cash back...