Brumbies put down marker against Rebels
MATCH REPORT: The Brumbies lost 157 Test caps in the off-season, without making any major signings, but they didn't miss a beat in a Super Rugby trial against the Melbourne Rebels.
Wallabies quintet David Pocock, Christian Lealiifano, Henry Speight, Rory Arnold and Sam Carter all departed but the baby Brumbies thrashed the Rebels 45-14 in Albury on Thursday.
The Brumbies looked sharp and conditioned for January and despite the exodus, they could still start favourites to clinch consecutive Australian conference titles.
Rebels flyhalf Matt Toomua wants to make the vacant Wallabies No.10 jersey his own this year and looked polished, laying down a marker of 2020.
The Wallabies' post World Cup departures included No.10s Lealiifano and Bernard Foley, which has left the national playmaking role up for grabs.
The match also unveiled of the Lealiifano's replacement with Brumbies' young gun Noah Lolesio looking comfortable pulling the strings.
Rolling subs meant more than 50 players were involved and both teams avoided major injuries ahead of their season openers next week.
Defence dominated a grinding first half before the contest opened up in the second as the Brumbies ran in five tries, including a double to winger Andy Muirhead.
Brumbies scrumhalf Joe Powell is playing for his future with the arrival of Wallaby Nic White in Canberra next season, and he was solid.
Rebels centre Billy Meakes is determined to make his long-awaited Test debut this year and was courageous in defence, while first choice Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete finished a sensational team try.
A yellow card to Rebels reserve hooker Fereti Saaga opened the floodgates for the Brumbies and the Rebels men will need better discipline when the teams meet in round two.
The scorers:
For Rebels
Tries: Koroibete, Tikoirotuma
Cons: Hodge, Deegan
For Brumbies:
Tries: Muirhead 2, Douglas, Sio, Pulu, Muirhead, Neville
Cons: Lolesio 2, Lonergan 2, Kuenzle.
Game One:
Rebels: 15 Harry Jones, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Stacey Ili, 12 Mosee Tuipulotu, 11 Ben Woolett, 10 Ben Hughes, 9 Reece Fuller, 8 Pat Morrey, 7 Mahe Vailanu, 6 Matt Gicquel, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Ola Tauelangi, 3 Alex Saaga, 2 Declan Moore, 1 Cameron Orr
Replacements: 16 Matt Willshire, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Moses Poreo, 19 Siaosi Asofolau
Brumbies: 15 Mack Hansen*, 14 Tom Haddad, 13 Len Ikitau*, 12 Reesjan Pasitoa, 11 Guy Porter, 10 Bayley Kuenzle*, 9 Issak Fines, 8 Luke Reimer, 7 Jahrome Brown*, 6 Rory Scott, 5 Nick Frost*, 4 Tom Hooper, 3 Tom Ross*, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 Harry Lloyd*.
Replacements – from: Billy Pollard, Fred Kahea, Bo Abra, Callum McDonald, Zeph Tuinona, Lachlan Osbourne, Lachie Albert, Isaac Henry, Billy Carberry, Dennis Waight, Tony Alofipo, Luke Gersekowski.
*Indicates player will also play in Game Two
Game two:
Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Marika Koroibete, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Matt To'omua, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Rob Leota, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Matt Gibbon
Replacements: 16 Fereti Saaga, 17 Mees Erasmus, 18 Cabous Eloff, 19 Luke Jones, 20 Gideon Koegelenberg, 21 Esei Haangana, 22 Isi Naisarani, 23 Theo Strang, 24. Andrew Deegan, 25 Glen Vaihau, 26 Asaeli Tikoirotuma
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Murray Douglas, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements – from: Connal McInerney, James Slipper, Caderyn Neville, Will Miller, Ryan Lonergan, Andy Muirhead, Toni Pulu.