Round 1 - Brumbies v Rebels - Fri 15th@7:45pm

[RoffsChoice]

Samu is a stereotypical 6.5. He'd have been the perfect fit in England's backrow over the last decade. I suspect that he will ultimately replace McCaffrey or Valetini in the starting backrow, but we're also in a position where we can play horses-for-courses.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

So Sa'aga, Daley, Erasmus and Fa'amausili all injured? Good for Gibbon, I guess, but 8th choice.

Abel over Roach is interesting too (assuming Roach is fit), and Haangana over Jeffries

Gibbon must be pinching himself. Named in the supplementary squad on Wednesday, debut on Friday.

Also, Leota over RHP is slightly surprising.

 

[AFL_Converted]

Talakai was one of our best props last year whereas the pack were dished up with Faulkner and Ainsley starting. It's a worry to me that they are starting the season this way unless they have been doing something on the training park to change last year's performance.

I am worried about this one and will take any points we can take away. Brumbies to start favourites I think

 

[Bobby Sands]

Irae to have a breakout game.

 

[Forcefield]

Being an Australian derby, they probably don't need to try harder to drop the ball.

Priceless.

But maybe trying to knock the ball on is the secret. We try to hold onto the ball and fuck that up. If we are trying to knock the ball we might just fuck that up too.

 

[RoffsChoice]

I'm so ridiculously keen for this game. There's nothing in Rugby like the first game of a season.

 

[KevinO]

I'm so ridiculously keen for this game. There's nothing in Rugby like the first game of a season.

And it's a weird start for us, away than the bye so really does not feel like the start of the season.

 

[Rebels3]

Talakai was one of our best props last year whereas the pack were dished up with Faulkner and Ainsley starting. It's a worry to me that they are starting the season this way unless they have been doing something on the training park to change last year's performance.

I am worried about this one and will take any points we can take away. Brumbies to start favourites I think

Faulkner and Ainsley are solid around the park but come set piece would rank in the bottom 2/3 TH and LH in the comp. I don't see the fascination with them. Personally Sa'aga offers more in the contact while also been considerably better at scrum time, Big Sam at least means we can win most of our own ball. Its the only area i think they have us covered tonight and honestly i think itll be the only area that matters. Big Pone is another i'd rather see, hes a hell of an athlete for a big man.

I guess injuries have dictated some selections

 

[RoffsChoice]

And it's a weird start for us, away than the bye so really does not feel like the start of the season.

The only bye worse than round one is round two.

 

[Derpus]

I'm so ridiculously keen for this game. There's nothing in Rugby like the first game of a season.

No dog in the race and i am as well.

 

[RoffsChoice]

The Melbourne Rebels, though, have wasted no time displaying their new halves combination of Will Genia and Quade Cooper in an all-Wallaby showdown against the Brumbies pair of Joel Powell and Christian Lealiifano.

Source: https://rugby365.com/tournaments/super-rugby/news-super-rugby/super-rugby-five-talking-points

Bit disingenous to describe the clash of the halves as an all-Wallaby showdown: first, his name is Joe Powell, and he has the (perhaps unique) distinction of having more caps than minutes played for the Wallabies; second, Lealiifano has played 85 minutes in three games since 2014, and was subbed off just after half time in the last Wallabies game he started (15 Nov 2014).

 

[Jets]

Battle for the top of the Aussie conference in my eyes. I am so excited for Super Rugby to start. Hopefully they throw the ball around and entertain us.

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

Yikes. What's a more likely option: Tevita Kurindrani passing the ball or Quade Cooper effecting a trysaving tackle?

 

[Dctarget]

All I need to see. Quade is new Wallabies captain, saviour has arrived. Don't need to watch any of the season.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Oh shit. Poey off for HIA after 5 mins

 

[biggsy]

Somebody learnt how to tackle

 

[Strewthcobber]

Pulu off with a smashed cheekbone after 9

 

[Up the Guts]

Pretty decent first 10

 

[Strewthcobber]

QC (Quade Cooper) wanted nothing to do with Speight that time hahahaha

 

[Derpus]

Competition to see who can get the most injuries.

As predicted Rebels front-row worse than useless.