Brumbies v Force Rd2 Saturday 22 February GIO Stadium, Canberra 7:35pm

[Sully]

The Force are on their first road trip of the year, and it looks like they'll run into a near full strength Brumbies outfit. Whoever wins, there will be no Aussie clean sweep this week.

 

[Heavyd]

Brumbies should put them to the sword in the 2nd half when the starting Force props depart. Up to then it should be a good game and worthy of a 10000 crowd.

 

[Thalium]

This is the free to air game this week so I hope it’s a good contest.

Hoping for the Force to win this one on the road by 5 points.

I actually think it would be the best outcome for Aus rugby right now if the force can win a few and build momentum and confidence. We all know the brumbies would bounce back fine from a loss but the force need to win one of the road

 

[Derpus]

This is the free to air game this week so I hope it’s a good contest.

Hoping for the Force to win this one on the road by 5 points.

I actually think it would be the best outcome for Aus rugby right now if the force can win a few and build momentum and confidence. We all know the brumbies would bounce back fine from a loss but the force need to win one of the road

I think for any team to have a chance at the actual title they need a home final so a home loss is pretty serious. But I agree it would be good for the Force to give a strong showing.

 

[Slim 293]

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Ala'alatoa, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Luke Reimer, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Lachlan Shaw, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton

FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep; Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Dylan Pietsch, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Ryan Coxon, Atu Moli, Sam Carter, Will Harris, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant Referees: Anthony Petrie, Stu Curran

TMO: Glenn Newman

 

[MarkJ]

Seems Lolesio is out due to concussion

 

[Slim 293]

Super Rugby Pacific Round One Injury/Unavailability list
*TBC time/injury unless specified

Brumbies

• Feao Fotuaika (ankle/ round 3)
• Noah Lolesio (concussion / round 3)
• David Feliuai (finger/ round 3)
• Rob Valetini (hamstring / TBC)
• Ben O’Donnell (hamstring/ TBC)
• Tevita Alatini (ACL / TBC)
• Harry Vella (ACL / TBC)

Western Force

• Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee)
• Bayley Kuenzle (knee)
• Harry Hoopert (knee)
• Kane Koteka (ribs)
• Divad Palu (shoulder)
• Matt Proctor (shoulder)
• Henry Robertson (ribs)
• Papillon Sevele (knee)
• Tiaan Tauakipulu (ribs)

 

[whitefalcon]

Interesting to see Sapsford at 12 and Ikitau at 13.

 

[Derpus]

Should be a good game. Stacked Brumbies side and the best Force side we have seen in a while.

 

[TSR]

BR will be loving that backline.

 

[Yoda]

BR will be loving that backline.

Yes. Meredith in at 10. They won’t lose anything with him there definitely.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Meredith at 10 and Sapsford at 12. If it gels and causes immense havoc among the Forcies, then I will gladly take the plaudits for calling for it to happen over the past 12 months. If it doesn't work, then hopefully the rest of the Brumbies are on song enough to win the game. Go Brumbies.

BR will be loving that backline.

 

[Adam84]

Ah, sheesh, I accidentally read Tom Robertson as suffering a season-ending knee injury, but it was Harry Hooper and Johnson-Holmes. Still shit luck but minor reprieve with Robertson if he can capture some of his pre-uni study.

That's a strong Brumbies lineup.. Force have it in for them this game, Brumbies by 20

 

[griffins]

On the Brumbies backline, be interested to see if the change at 10 sees a bit more early ball for Ikitau/width in the attack or if they stick rigidly to their system. Great chance for Meredith to experience the step up in level.

Forwards match up has a lot to like about it. De Crespigny was excellent last week and Swain, who also looked pretty sharp to me with his soft hands a real feature, will be hoping to pressure the occassionally shakey Brums throwers. On the other side Pollard looks to have physically matured and looked to have benefited from time around the Wallabies. Hoping for the old boys either side of him to show a bit at scrum time too.

 

[Adam84]

yeah will be interesting to watch Swain try and stick it back to his old club and get one up over them, hopefully no brain explosions/off the play shenanigans though.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Some very good Locks on display this game. Current Wallabies in Frost and Williams, Swain returning to his old hunting grounds and Hooper coming off a similar non-stop effort to de Crespigny's against the Drua. Surprised me that Neville didn't make the bench for the Brums as he also had a strong effort against the Drua, but Lachlan Shaw has a lot to like about the way he plays too. Lineouts should be a real battle ground, but with Cale back in the side jumping at 2, I think the Force might be under a little bit more pressure in this aspect.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Also have the battle of the 7s. Who is the second in the Wallabies squad.... It's Riemer for me but you cant deny Tizzanos energy around the field.

Brumbies at home are always a diffucult task. I think the Brums tight 5 and mostly front row group will eat through the Force as the game wears on. Schoupp, Van Nek, Lonergan to come off the bench to be too much to handle and we may start seeing penalties and even cards come out.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Yeah, Reimer v Tizzano should be a good contest. Either one could make the decisive play in the last few minutes.

I do think the Brumbies should have the wood on the Force at set piece, and the backline looks to have a lot more fire power as well. I expect the Brumbies to have more penetration in their attack, and to come away with the win.

 

[Yoda]

Last year Force lost by 3 from memory with Donaldson missing some goals and the Force having a try disallowed that was dubious. Should be a great game but home and with fresh cattle the Brumbies are hot favourites. I would love to see an upset though. Interested to see how Meredith goes.

 

[griffins]

Also have the battle of the 7s. Who is the second in the Wallabies squad.... It's Riemer for me but you cant deny Tizzanos energy around the field.

Brumbies at home are always a diffucult task. I think the Brums tight 5 and mostly front row group will eat through the Force as the game wears on. Schoupp, Van Nek, Lonergan to come off the bench to be too much to handle and we may start seeing penalties and even cards come out.

Can see why Schmidt went with Tizanno (have a look at the tackle Reimer falls off for the Drua's try near half time) but they are definitely neck and neck. Both pretty combative so it is a good matchup.