2020 Super Rugby Round 1 (REDUX): Brumbies v Rebels

[Rugby Head]

Someone mentioned Stolberg was hanging out with the Rebels so it's not unexpected but can't remember a signing. Don't know anything about Ma'afu?

Ma'afu played for Queensland Country in the NRC - Very solid. Was playing with the Sunwolves until the season was cut short, he is a great pick up.

 

[RugbyReg]

Ma'afu had a contract with the Reds at the start of the year (perhaps just a Wider Training Squad one). Was released to go to the SUnwolves. Now at the Rebels? Don't know if I approve of that.

 

[swingpass]

Ma'afu had a contract with the Reds at the start of the year (perhaps just a Wider Training Squad one). Was released to go to the SUnwolves. Now at the Rebels? Don't know if I approve of that.

as a principle or this specific case ?

 

[RugbyReg]

as a principle or this specific case ?

both I guess. Happy for him to get a released to go to the Sunwolves. I assume he checked in to the Reds to see if he was a shot there.

 

[Purce]

Looking at those teams it is hard to go past the Brumbies.

Think the Rebels forward pack will have a hard time on Saturday.

 

[Mick The Munch]

There's a huge miss match in experience in the front rows although I'd say our (Rebels) is more mobile, hopefully (as we've seen in Aotearoa) there won't be too many scrums and the ball running of Pone and Jordan will stand out.

Back lines look pretty evenly matched

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah, agree about the front rows. But I am super excited about this game. That Rebels back 5 in the scrum is very good, despite Isi's absence. Stolberg was close to the Sunwolve's best this season and Philip has been a standout. Wells is an excellent replacement for Isi although not like for like. Very excited about Kemeny.

The backline is, on paper, excellent and close to the best in the comp.

The Brumbies are the standard setters and look excellent. Banks is a big loss however. And they wouldn't want to injure a lock.

can't wait

 

[molman]

]The Brumbies are the standard setters and look excellent. Banks is a big loss however. And they wouldn't want to injure a lock.

Banks is a loss, but not sure he's a big one. The Brums are a team in the true sense. I have faith Hansen will play well. The kid is not untalented. The rest of the team is pretty settled and the bench is not too bad at all. Bringing the energy of Ross, Miller on later and some mongrel with McCaffrey. Even Fines brings a bit of spark / different tempo.


Rebels have looked a lot better since moving to Louwrens from Lomani and definitely were on the up before COVID. The time away from Melbourne may even have solldified the team rather than disrupted. It will be interesting to see which Rebels turn up. Could be tighter than some seem to be predicting.

can't wait

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Rebels3]

Interested to see how Pone goes in the set piece.

Kemeny by all accounts was in line to play prior to Super Rugby ending this year, has been an absolute standout in the development games.

Would be more confident if Isi was playing but it’s still a decent team.

 

[Mick The Munch]

Kearns and Kafer.......urgh

 

[Up the Guts]

Brumbies scrum getting demolished.

 

[cyclopath]

Kearns and Kafer...urgh

Hard to decide the more painful between Kearns' drivel and Kafer's butt-hurt over Brumbies penalties. Both ought to be muted.

 

[lpd]

“Joe Powell had been a good find”?!?!

 

[lpd]

He’s only been playing pro rugby since 2014...

 

[Up the Guts]

Quite impressed with Stolberg

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

So all these Brumbies have grown moustaches in the break to varying degrees of success, but Tom Cusack is clean shaven for once. Does he not care about winning?

 

[Scooter]

So I was worried with the ease of the Brumbies' first try and had flash backs to round two this year. I thought we recovered well. Our scrum was dominating. Unfortunately some ill discipline has given the Brumbies opporrinities and the Rebels defence has been found wanting.

 

[cyclopath]

So I was worried with the ease of the Brumbies' first try and had flash backs to round two this year. I thought we recovered well. Our scrum was dominating. Unfortunately some ill discipline has given the Brumbies opporrinities and the Rebels defence has been found wanting.

Scrum was dominating in an entirely non-dominant way, apart from some oddly gifted penalties from where I was watching.

 

[Scooter]

How long does the scrum half get to feed the scrum. One of the Brumbies scrum penalty was as a result of Louwrens hanging on to the ball for an age.

Fainga'a also lucky not to be penalised for a slow lineout throw.

 

[Dan54]

Enjoying this game, teams are settling in quite well and not playing bad at all! So far so good first game back!