RECAP: Brumbies v Reds
READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round 18 clash between the Brumbies and Reds at GIO Stadium.
Read all our Super Rugby previews for the weekend here.
With a play-off spot secured, the Brumbies are already looking ahead to the quarterfinals.
Dan McKellar’s men have won five straight games to move to nine wins and six defeats this season and ensure a home quarterfinal next weekend as the Australian conference winners.
The Reds (six wins and nine defeats) have faded out of calculations in recent weeks and need a win in Canberra to better last season’s record.
They will travel with fond memories though after a 36-14 victory when the Brumbies last visited Brisbane in round six.
The Reds’ scrum and maul didn’t budge in what was a comprehensive set-piece performance – one assistant coach Peter Ryan was particularly proud of.
Recent results:
2019: Reds won 36-14, Brisbane
2018: Brumbies won 45-21, Canberra
2018: Reds won 18-10, Brisbane
2017: Reds won 16-15, Brisbane
2017: Brumbies won 43-10, Canberra
Prediction: The Reds have won three of their last four Super Rugby games against the Brumbies after having lost their previous five games in succession against the team from the Australian capital. The Brumbies have won their last five Super Rugby games in a row; the last time they won more successive games within a single season was a six-game streak to close the 2007 campaign. The Reds have won only two of their last nine Australian derbies in Super Rugby and have lost their last three such fixtures on the bounce. The Reds have enjoyed an average of 17 minutes and 31 seconds of time in possession per game in Super Rugby 2019, more than any other team in the competition. Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies) is the only player to have scored more than five tries (seven) and made more than five try assists (six) in Super Rugby 2019
Prediction: Brumbies
Margin: Three points
RECAP: Brumbies v Reds
Kick-off: Kick-off: 19.45 (local time); 09.45 GMT
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Teams:
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Lachlan Mccaffrey, 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Connal Mcinerney, 17 James Slipper, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Murray Douglas, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23 Len Ikitau.
Reds: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Jock Campbell, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi (captain), 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Matt McGahan, 9 Scott Malolua, 8 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Harry Hockings, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Gav Luka, 19 Caleb Timu, 20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Sefa Naivalu.
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Graham Cooper (Australia)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)