Super XV Big Match Preview - Brumbies v Reds

 

And so the Super Rugby season kicks off, meaning we can brace ourselves for shedloads of tries, masses of big hits, and a healthy amount of arguments regarding the setting of an alarm for 7am on a Saturday.  Or at the very least, a large debate about why it was important to tape over "Strictly come dancing" with a rugby match played over 10'000 miles to the south east.

In fact, it's already kicked off, since the Australian sides have started a week early to give themselves space to take on the British and Irish Lions later this June. And because I was lazy and didn't get round to doing the preview last night, the first game has ended with the Melbourne Rebels running out 30 – 23 winners against a stubborn Western Force side.  In a match where Gareth Delve became the first Brit to captain a Super Rugby team to victory, and three debutants were sinbinned (Scott Higginbotham, Chris Alcock and Alby Matthewson – that must be some kind of record) the Rebels had to dig deep before their superior quality shone through.  The Force got their tries on the board through wing Alfi Mafi – who grabbed 2 – and backrower Richard Brown, whilst the Rebels responded with scores from forwards Ged Robinson and Hugo Pyle, as well as a fine effort from wing Richard Kingi whilst the Force were down to 13 men.  But the real plus for the Rebels was the performance of the returning James O'Connor.  The talented youngster may still look like Justin Bieber crossed with an apprentice female Jedi (please note his new abysmal haircut) but he looked very sharp on the ball and his goal kicking turned out to be the difference between the sides.

 

All this though was effectively an undercard for this weekend's big match, between the Brumbies and the Reds, taking place at the Canberra stadium.  With both sides hotly tipped to be playoff contenders this season, they'll want to get an advantage over their opponents as early as possible to take control of the Conference.

 

Brumbies Team News

David Pocock will make his debut in the 7 shirt for the Brumbies, whilst Clyde Rathbone makes his remarkable comeback since retiring 3 years ago on the wing.  On the other wing is danger man Henry Speight – top try scorer in last year's Aussie conference.

Starting Line-up: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Clyde Rathbone, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (c), 7 David Pocock, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.

Replacements: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Ruaidhri Murphy, 18 Colby Faingaa, 19 Fotu Auelua, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Joseph Tomane, 22 Robbie Coleman.

Key Player

Clyde Rathbone.  Not that he is especially key to how the team players (he is a sissy winger, after all but it will be really interesting to see how he handles top-flight rugby again.  Will he rip it up? Will he snap immediately? Will he even get the ball? All questions we can't wait to see answered.

Reds Team News

The Reds are captained by James Slipper in the absence of perennially injured skipper James Horwill, who managed to twist his ankle on making his comeback from an injured back.  Quade Cooper also starts after missing the Reds' semi final with the Sharks through suspension last year.

Starting Line-up: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Aidan Toua, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 3 James Slipper (c), 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.

Replacements: 16 Albert Anae, 17 James Hanson, 18 Ed O'Donoghue, 19 Jarrad Butler, 20 Nick Frisby, 21 Jono Lance, 22 Chris F'Sautia

Key Player

It's got to be Quade.  As consistent as an Oasis album – sublime one minute and head-bashingly awful the next – the result could quite feasibly depend heavily on which Quade Cooper.  At his best, he is almost unplayable, and the likes of Digby Ione and Dom Shipperly will be hoping to take full advantage of the space he creates.

 

Key Battle

David Pocock v Liam Gill.  The master against the apprentice, Pocock will be fuming that Gill topped the charts for turnovers last season even though he played less rugby than him.  Expect him to try and set the record straight this time – and the repercussions for the teams could be huge.  Whoever pilfers enough pill tomorrow has a chance to give a lethal set of backs some valuable counterattack ball, and with the speed both sides possess, that could be critical.

Prediction

I'm hoping for an absolute belter of an opening game from two sides who have genuine ambitions this year for honours.  Two exciting sets of backs and two mobile packs – what more could you ask for?  We should be in for a fast and furious game but I think the Reds' experience will count, and they'll nick a tight one by 4 points.