Super Rugby: Brumbies - Reds in Canberra (16/02/2013)

[Darwin]

Canberra Stadium, Canberra

 

[TNT88]

This could be a battle of the halves and a battle of territory. Because both teams will be worried about letting each other in the 22!

Brumbies should win at home if they are on their game, but the reds are full of tricks and are now an experienced side.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I've heard Genia is out. If so I fancy the Brumbies at home this early in the season. I think the Brumbies are a well balanced, structured, disciplined and well coached side even if they don't have all that many stars and depth in quality. Should be good for a couple of games until their lack of depth is exposed... again.

 

[Dizzy]

Pre-Squad-Naming I say Brumbies...
May change my mind when the squads are released.

 

[Darwin]

Brumbies:
1. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Dan Palmer, 4. Sam Carter, 5. Scott Fardy, 6. Peter Kimlin, 7. David Pocock, 8. Ben Mowen, 9. Nic White, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Henry Speight, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Andrew Smith, 14. Clyde Rathbone, 15. Jesse Mogg. Reserves: 16. Siliva Siliva, 17. Ruaidhri Murphy, 18. Colby Faingaa, 19. Fotu Auelua, 20. Ian Prior, 21. Joseph Tomane, 22. Robbie Colemam

Overall a pretty strong looking side. I'm not convinced about Kimlin at 6 - he is a good player, but I would have preferred to see Mowen at 6 and Auelua at 8 (as Auelua made a big impact for them last season). I'm not sure about having Toomua at 10 and Lealiifano at 12 either, as I thought Lealiifano really thrived last season in the 10 jersey. It is interesting to see Rathbone has been given the start on the right wing of Joe Tomane, who was in great form last season.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Reds:

Forwards:
Nigel Ah Wong, Albert Anae, Jarrad Butler, Saia Faingaa, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Ed O'Donoghue, Eddie Quirk, Jake Schatz, Rob Simmons, James Slipper (c), Adam Wallace-Harrison
Backs:
Quade Cooper, Chris F'Sautia, Nick Frisby, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Jono Lance, Ben Lucas, Dom Shipperley, Ben Tapuai (vc), Aidan Toua

Very strong reds side named, the Loose 3 will contain Pocock no worries, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz and Ed Quirk are all solid players, two are wallabies contenders year in year out. Reds have a strong front row and reasonable locks.

Backs are where things start to get mirky, While the reds probable line up will be 9. Ben Lucas, 10. Quade Cooper 11. Digby Ioane 12. Jono Lance 13. Ben Tapuai 14. Dom Shipperly/Chris F Sautia 15. Mike Harris, I'd say what the Reds lack in Will Genia's loss won't be a big problem for them, their biggest problem will be in the backs moving the ball outside of Cooper. You have Ioane who has never passed in his life, Jono Lance who apparently passes but rarely being one of those "hard running" types, Tapuai who passes at the last second and Sautia/Shipperly who don't need to pass. It's a wonder if our wingers will see the ball

 

[TNT88]

I like the Brumbies set up, Lealiifano linking up with those outside backs will work well. And then of course you have Mogg on the counter attack who can also put players into space. Reds will want to make sure their kicking is accurate.

Btw what is the deal with Pat McCabe at the moment?

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Btw what is the deal with Pat McCabe at the moment?

He is busy planning how to ruin Australia's next world cup attempt.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

He is busy planning how to ruin Australia's next world cup attempt.

TBF him and Pocock did win you the QF between the two of them.

 

[Darwin]

I like the Brumbies set up, Lealiifano linking up with those outside backs will work well. And then of course you have Mogg on the counter attack who can also put players into space. Reds will want to make sure their kicking is accurate.

Btw what is the deal with Pat McCabe at the moment?

He is still out with the neck injury he suffered on the Wallabies end of season tour. Last I heard he was expected to be back in around a months time.

 

[TNT88]

Ah, that's it. Cheers.

 

[lynam1104]

Looking forward to it should be close think the Brumbies will take it in the end losing Genia is a blow for the Reds.

 

[big ginger 8]

The breakdown is a complete mess.

 

[lynam1104]

Refs been shite in this game to, at least yesterday there was sum running and trys.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

"Hands away white!" .... They are still slowing the ball down and then penalizes the Reds. Officiating has been dire in both games this weekend which is sad.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Reds just gave the Kings some hope
This was not a good game, all the handbag stuff of the ball, Simmons is hanging onto everyone like a drunk gay in a bar

Brumbies showed some initiative but expected more from the 2 top teams in Aus
But they should improve from here, was after all the first game of the season

 

[TNT88]

The ref handled it pretty well, he's got to work on communication (was probably just nervous out there) but overall in a game where both teams decided to be aggressive at the breakdown he kept a standard in place that the players seemed to eventually grasp.

Both teams looked decent, it was just a tight game. The forwards showed they are up to it , but the backs didn't get any chances.

Watch out for both next week. The attack will hopefully take off from the last 10 minutes of this game.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Just turned it on in the end, right on time to see Cooper's intercept pass.

 

[lynam1104]

Not the greatest game, Reds really miss Genia also Frisby should start, better service and kicking IMO + a great last name.

 

[User1245]

Only caught the 2nd half but it looks like the Brumbies are looking organized this season. Their defense is looking particularly tight. Was weird to see Rathbone playing again!