RECAP: Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby AU Round One encounter between the Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels in Canberra.

The Brumbies picked up a 39-26 win in their most recent Super Rugby clash with the Rebels, snapping a four-game losing streak against them; they’ll now be looking for back-to-back wins against the Melbourne club for the first time since 2015.

Each of the Rebels’ last 13 Super Rugby games has been won by the team holding the lead at half-time on the day; the Melbourne side has managed three wins in their last four fixtures, including their last two on the bounce.

* To read our entire preview, CLICK HERE!

* Our live blog will appear below, it might take a little while to load, please be patient. We apologise for the inconvenience!

[livecentre-blog id="8412"]

Teams:

Brumbies: 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Andy Muirhead, 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 Murray Douglas, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.

Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Lachlan McCaffrey, 20 Will Miller, 21 Issak Fines, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Len Ikitau.

Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (captain), 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt To’omua, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 Michael Stolberg, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Pone Fa’amausili, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Matt Gibbon.

Replacements: 16 Efitusi Maafu, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Trevor Hosea, 20 Esei Haangana, 21 Rob Leota, 22 Frank Lomani, 23 Andrew Deegan.

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant referees: Amy Perrett, Reuben Keane

TMO: James Leckie