Brumbies v Reds - Winner takes all?

[emuarse]

Although the game is still two weekends away, there is already quite a bit of speculation about it,
particularly who is best between Hooper & Gill, contraversial suggestions that the Reds pack humiliated the Brumbies pack in their last outing etc.
What makes this game a stand out is how these two sides are progressing.
The Brumbies are showing great faith in themselves and are rolling over sides that no one would have thought possible at the beginning of the season, including the Waratahs recently.
Moore, Alexander, Palmer, Mowen (c) McCabe, Speight, Mogg, all put real backbone into the team.
Both teams enjoy arguably the best coaches in the Super 15 competition, and their strategies on the game could have a lot of bearing.
The Reds have just come off a huge confidence booster beating the competition leaders the Chiefs with a five try bag, & in doing so finding their lost mojo.
The loss of Lealiifano for the Brumbies, after his recent brilliant form, will be a true test of character for the team, and a win on the night over the Reds will give them massive confidence to take out the Australian chapter. Without Quade Cooper, the Reds went into melt down, until Ben Lucas has finally stepped up & returned some confidence to that all-important position. Could the same thing happen for the Brumbies?
Both sides have to play the Waratahs (Brumbies away, Reds at home), and the Rebels, both in Melbourne. So how they each deal with these derby games could have significance.
But is their match against each other going to be 'winner takes all', for the Australian chapter?

 

[Brumby Jack]

The one ace up the sleeve of the Brumbies is that this match is in late May - it won't be warm at all down here then, especially when it was -5° this morning.

 

[MrTimms]

The one ace up the sleeve of the Brumbies is that this match is in late May - it won't be warm at all down here then, especially when it was -5° this morning.

I don't think that will be a factor at all, it will be cold in Brisbane too, maybe even as low as 15-20 at night.

 

[tranquility]

I don't think that will be a factor at all, it will be cold in Brisbane too, maybe even as low as 15-20 at night.

hahahah

 

[fatprop]

This weeks game will be so telling for the Brumbies, third choice 10, forth choice off the bench. Bloody tough to keep that momentum going.

 

[mudskipper]

This weeks game will be so telling for the Brumbies, third choice 10, forth choice off the bench. Bloody tough to keep that momentum going.

I agree it will be telling, but Coleman will have a good pack to play behind so he'lll have time and should slot in well with White and McCabe

 

[fatprop]

I would play Zac Holmes, at least he is a real 10, not a 12 that can play 10

 

[mudskipper]

Coleman has far more experience and better pedagree... I do think Zacs a fine player... I rather see him come off the bench to 10 first... Playing the Hurricanes in welo wild be wild...

 

[Slim 293]

My concern is that Coleman is a Giteau style player...

And he definitely doesn't have Lilo's passing game...

 

[mudskipper]

Perhaps Slim, but I'll take pedigree over a long pass any day... Jake White has backed the young guys all season; I can't see him doing any different when it comes to Coleman... I've seen him execute some fine passing... you know Lilo had been playing the short game this a lot this season... Bernie will encourage Coleman to play to his strengths as no 2 players are the same...

 

[Jiggles]

Ben Daley played very well against Palmer in the scrum last time, despite being pretty mediocre for most of the year before and since. I like Palmer and what he brings to the table, but he really has to dominate Daley (if picked) and Holmes this time around if he really wants to be considered for the Wallabies.

 

[Slim 293]

Pedigree?

He's not a dog...

 

[Brumbies Guy]

I really don't rate Holmes that highly, his versatility makes him a good squad player coming off the bench, but if he was our starting 10 I'd be worried leading up to the finals. Coleman played 10 all through school including for the Australian Schoolboys. Playing with the combo he's had for years with White at 9, and the safety blanket of McCabe at 12, he'll do alright.

I would play Zac Holmes, at least he is a real 10, not a 12 that can play 10

Holmes is a 15 that can play 10, not a real 10.

 

[Bardon]

The Brumbies could lose this one and still go on to win the Aus conference. However the effect of a loss on future performances could be telling. The Reds have to win to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for the finals.

I think a Reds win gives the best possibility of 2 Aus teams making the finals, especially if both go into this game on the back of wins.

 

[fatprop]

I really don't rate Holmes that highly, his versatility makes him a good squad player coming off the bench, but if he was our starting 10 I'd be worried leading up to the finals. Coleman played 10 all through school including for the Australian Schoolboys. Playing with the combo he's had for years with White at 9, and the safety blanket of McCabe at 12, he'll do alright.



Holmes is a 15 that can play 10, not a real 10.

then all those good games at 10 for Norths last year must have been my hallucinations

 

[Brumbies Guy]

then all those good games at 10 for Norths last year must have been my hallucinations

Must be. He started the first 20 or so rounds on the wing for Norths last year.

 

[Slim 293]

Holmes played the first half of the season on the wing...

But he played the second half of the season at flyhalf...

 

[Sully]

I don't think that will be a factor at all, it will be cold in Brisbane too, maybe even as low as 15-20 at night.

You're right mate! I nearly put a jumper on today. And I was nearly cold at the pool this afternoon!

 

[Schadenfreude]

This weather is unbearable, I had to turn the air-con to "not freezing" when I got in the car this morning.

 

[Bowside]

This weather is unbearable, I had to turn the air-con to "not freezing" when I got in the car this morning.

I think there was a small spot of condensation in the corner of my cars windscreen this morning.