Super Rugby: Brumbies - Blues in Canberra (14/07/2012)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Canberra Stadium, Canberra


Referee: Jonathon White
Referee: Ian Smith
Referee: Julian Pritchard
Referee: Matt Goddard

[TRF_Darwin]

Blues:
Charles Piutau, Lachie Munro, Francis Saili, Ma'a Nonu, Hadleigh Parkes, Michael Hobbs, Piri Weepu, Luke Braid, Daniel Braid, Chris Lowrey, Steven Luatua, Liaki Moli, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu (c), Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Andrew Van der Heijden, Peter Saili, Alby Mathewson, Orene Ai'i, Sherwin Stowers.

Good to see Faumuina back - he will provide a massive boost to the Blues scrum. It will be interesting to see how Luatua goes at lock after being very impressive at 6 since joining the Blues. The Blues have a good mid-field, and Piutau made a good impression last weekend, but the wings are truly shocking - they would have to be the slowest wing pairing in Super Rugby.... ever. Munro is a liability on defense too, so I'd expect the Brumbies to try and exploit the Blues out wide.

Despite the relative positions on the table I actually expect this to be a pretty close match, and it wouldn't surprise me if the Blues pull off the upset. I will wait till the Brumbies side is named first before I make my prediction though.

[Sam91]

Blues:
Charles Piutau, Lachie Munro, Francis Saili, Ma'a Nonu, Hadleigh Parkes, Michael Hobbs, Piri Weepu, Luke Braid, Daniel Braid, Chris Lowrey, Steven Luatua, Liaki Moli, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu (c), Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Andrew Van der Heijden, Peter Saili, Alby Mathewson, Orene Ai'i, Sherwin Stowers.

Good to see Faumuina back - he will provide a massive boost to the Blues scrum. It will be interesting to see how Luatua goes at lock after being very impressive at 6 since joining the Blues. The Blues have a good mid-field, and Piutau made a good impression last weekend, but the wings are truly shocking - they would have to be the slowest wing pairing in Super Rugby.... ever. Munro is a liability on defense too, so I'd expect the Brumbies to try and exploit the Blues out wide.

Despite the relative positions on the table I actually expect this to be a pretty close match, and it wouldn't surprise me if the Blues pull off the upset. I will wait till the Brumbies side is named first before I make my prediction though.

Yeah i would not at all be surprised if the blues were able to pull it off as they have a great lineup and frankly the brumbies are overrated and have had a good draw this season, god i hope they do too. I haven't really paid attention to the blues this year but as this game may be critical to the reds' chances I had a look at their team and thought to myself how they hell are they doing so poorly? What happened to the blues this season? Can anyone shed some light for me ?

[TRF_Darwin]

Yeah i would not at all be surprised if the blues were able to pull it off as they have a great lineup and frankly the brumbies are overrated and have had a good draw this season, god i hope they do too. I haven't really paid attention to the blues this year but as this game may be critical to the reds' chances I had a look at their team and thought to myself how they hell are they doing so poorly? What happened to the blues this season? Can anyone shed some light for me ?

Hard to pin-point just one reason for the Blues terrible season. They have had a lot of injuries to key players, but there have been issues with their coach, their defense has been shocking, and they often look like 15 individuals rather than a rugby team.

It is interesting you point out the Brumbies draw - missing out on playing the Crusaders and the Stormers certainly has helped them (as well as getting to play the Force and the Rebels twice ). Compare that to the Highlanders, who missed out on playing the Force and the Lions who are currently 14th and 15th on the table!

Anyways.... Brumbies named:

Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Andrew Smith, Pat McCabe, Joe Tomane, Zack Holmes, Nic White, Ben Mowen (capt), Michael Hooper, Peter Kimlin, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Dan Palmer, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander.
Res: Anthony Hegarty, Ruaidhri Murphy, Leon Power, Fotu Auelua, Ian Prior, Tevita Kuridrani, Robbie Coleman

A pretty good team - the Brumbies will be happy to have Auelua back on the bench and especially Tomane on the wing.

There are some good match-ups, particularly up front. I think the Blues have an edge in the front row, but not by much. Mealamu and Moore are pretty comparable in my opinion, but Woodcock has an obvious edge on Dan Palmer around the field (though Palmer would match him at the scrum, which is odd for an Aussie prop!). Alexander vs Faumuina will be a really interesting battle in my opinion - both are strong ball runners, and though Faumuina is only just returning from injury he needs a massive game to push his case for inclusion in the AB's squad for the Rugby Championship. I'm looking forward to watching the battle in the loose between Hopper and the Braids too.

White vs Weepu is an interesting battle at halfback - Weepu needs a massive game if he wants to maintain his spot in the next AB's squad. I like the looks of the mid-field battle too: Nonu looked good last week, but will be matching up against McCabe who is an outstanding defender (and will likely be marking him in month or two time in the Rugby Championship). The biggest area of concern for the Blues has to be their wings - Tomane and Speight will cause the Blues wings all sorts of problems if they get the ball in any space as Munro and Parkes are seriously lacking pace (as well as lacking the ability to tackle in Munro's case...).

I'd love to see the Blues pull off the upset, but I'm picking the Brumbies to win a pretty close match, by 5-10 points.

[Gena_ZA]

"It is interesting you point out the Brumbies draw - missing out on playing the Crusaders and the Stormers certainly has helped them (as well as getting to play the Force and the Rebels twice "

Makes the team ending 6th smile in this flawed system

[Sam91]

I see then, that's funny because the brumbies are polar opposite to that as in they have been a great team this season with noone i would rate as a fantastic individual player. They have had a very good draw this year and I would be surprised to see them do any better than a comfortable loss in the finals, but good luck to them anyhow.
Go the bloody blues!

[TRF_Darwin]

I see then, that's funny because the brumbies are polar opposite to that as in they have been a great team this season with noone i would rate as a fantastic individual player. They have had a very good draw this year and I would be surprised to see them do any better than a comfortable loss in the finals, but good luck to them anyhow.
Go the bloody blues!

Yeah, the Brumbies have really surprised me this season. I'm hoping for a big Blues win too, as I have some money on the Reds getting through to the playoffs - if the Blues can win and deny the Brumbies a bonus point that would really help the Reds (and my) cause!

[dudeabides]

This match comes on at midnight here in my world, an hour after I get off work on a Friday night so I'll be ready for some super rugby action just hope it's competitive.

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Brumbies have to win to stay in 3rd, Blues want to end the season with some decency left. This will be a good match.

[Muzzy]

These are the two teams I've been supporting this year. If Number 8 Auelua and First Five Leali'ifano didn't get injured, the Brumbies would be my faves to win the whole thing. I thought the Blues had a chance of getting a win here till I saw Parks on starting so I'm going with the brumbies by a slim margin

[Muzzy]

I see then, that's funny because the brumbies are polar opposite to that as in they have been a great team this season with noone i would rate as a fantastic individual player. They have had a very good draw this year and I would be surprised to see them do any better than a comfortable loss in the finals, but good luck to them anyhow.
Go the bloody blues!

Liali'ifano was the form First Five for Australia until he got injured, imo Auelua was the best number 8, McCabe and Coleman have both been outstanding too, Coleman steps people with ease, the openside flanker Hooper has also been really good, right up there with Pocock

[TRF_Darwin]

These are the two teams I've been supporting this year. If Number 8 Auelua and First Five Leali'ifano didn't get injured, the Brumbies would be my faves to win the whole thing. I thought the Blues had a chance of getting a win here till I saw Parks on starting so I'm going with the brumbies by a slim margin

The Brumbies have really surprised me this season, but I don't think they have been that good. I agree Leali'ifano was very impressive before injury, but I think the Brumbies draw has had a massive influence on their (probable) spot in the playoffs.

Really hoping for a Blues win here to end their disappointing season on a high.

[dudeabides]

Here we go with the kick!

[TRF_Darwin]

Some good news for the Blues, with Lachie Munro replaced by Stowers in the starting lineup....

EDIT: As I say that, Weepu misses a kick at goal that Munro would have nailed with his eyes closed

[dudeabides]

You and akbash must be lovin this start at least for those bets.

[TRF_Darwin]

Wow..... 2 great tries for the Blues already!

You and akbash must be lovin this start at least for those bets.

Makes me think I should have placed more than $70 on it! I do have a bit of real money on the result of this match though, so I am very happy thus far!

Great individual try by Speight gets the Brumbies right back in the game. 14-10 now.

[dudeabides]

That was nifty sidestepping by the winger Speight on the try the Brumbies were what you call fortunate to get the ball so close after that drop though.

[TRF_nickdnz]

For the Hurricanes sake, I'm really hoping for the Brumbies to win.

[TRF_Darwin]

Geez Piutau is good on his feet!

Brilliant try for the Blues now, after some great work by Saili, Piutau, Nonu, and Braid in the lead-up.

[dudeabides]

Wow the Blues passing is impressive leading up to that try.

[TRF_Darwin]

What were the Blues trying to do there? They were running one off with no support - it was only a matter of time before they were penalised. Luckily the Brumbies missed the kick.

Half-time, Blues 21-13.

Moli, Faumuina, and D Braid have been the pick of the Blues forwards for me. Weepu has been pretty good, but the real stars for the Blues have been Nonu, F Saili, Stowers, and especially Piutau. The Brumbies have looked pretty flat to me, but are still in the game - they look to have suffered a few injuries too, which certainly isn't helping them...

EDIT: Another great break by Stowers. Why have the Blues refused to play him all season???

[TRF_nickdnz]

What were the Blues trying to do there? They were running one off with no support - it was only a matter of time before they were penalised. Luckily the Brumbies missed the kick.

Half-time, Blues 21-13.

Moli, Faumuina, and D Braid have been the pick of the Blues forwards for me. Weepu has been pretty good, but the real stars for the Blues have been Nonu, F Saili, Stowers, and especially Piutau. The Brumbies have looked pretty flat to me, but are still in the game - they look to have suffered a few injuries too, which certainly isn't helping them...

EDIT: Another great break by Stowers. Why have the Blues refused to play him all season???

Been wondering that myself, even last year. He's clearly one of the most dangerous attacking wingers in the country and has very very good space. I'd also say better defence than Lachie Munro.

[admartian]

Does a potential loss to the Blues have any playoff implications for anyone?

[dudeabides]

Can't the Reds still benefit if they manage to bring in 5 against the Waratahs?

[TRF_Darwin]

Been wondering that myself, even last year. He's clearly one of the most dangerous attacking wingers in the country and has very very good space. I'd also say better defence than Lachie Munro.

Let be honest, anyone is better in defense than Lachie Munro! I could understand them not playing Stowers if they had Toeava, Wulf, and Ranger all fit, but picking the likes of Munro and Parkes ahead of him of him I can't really understand!

Does a potential loss to the Blues have any playoff implications for anyone?

Mainly the Brumbies themselves. If the Brumbies don't get any points from the match, and the Reds secure 5 points, the Reds will be top of the Australian conference, and the Brumbies would most likely be gone. I would also be a few hundred dollars richer

[Sam91]

The blues may in fact be my new favourite team

[austingtir]

Bit of a travesty imo that the brumbies or reds will probably get one of the last playoff spots over the hurricanes. The conferance system sucks for NZ and SA teams. I like the brumbies but neither them or the reds deserve a playoff spot.

[TRF_Darwin]

Go the Blues.... YESSS that will do it!

Reds just need 5 points now against the Tahs to get into the playoffs.

The Blues have actually played pretty well these last two weeks.... pity it has taken a whole season for them to start performing! Some promising signs though, with young players such as Moli, Luatua, F Saili, and Piutau hinting that there is still certainly plenty of talent in the Blues region.

[Sam91]

Bit of a travesty imo that the brumbies or reds will probably get one of the last playoff spots over the hurricanes. The conferance system sucks for NZ and SA teams. I like the brumbies but neither them or the reds deserve a playoff spot.

how would that be a travesty, if the reds win they will have won more games than the hurricanes so your logic seems flawed to me, to teams qualifying over the reds if they won one less game than them would be a "travesty"

[TRF_Darwin]

how would that be a travesty, if the reds win they will have won more games than the hurricanes so your logic seems flawed to me, to teams qualifying over the reds if they won one less game than them would be a "travesty"

I think his reasoning is that the Aussie conference is 'easier' than the NZ/SA conferences. It is true that the Reds would have had more wins, but they did get to play the Force, Waratahs, and Rebels twice! I certainly wouldn't describe it as a 'travesty', but I do think there are a few issues with the conference system.