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Australian rugby’s two premier sides duke it out in a Saturday night blockbuster as the ACT Brumbies host the Queensland Reds. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 7:35pm (AEDT).
Both sides are coming off wins in Super Round in Melbourne as the Reds piled on their biggest points tally ever in Super Rugby in a heavy win against the Force, while the Brumbies stunned the Blues in a master class of forwards dominance.
Stephen Larkham has made a few changes to his starting side, with some tactical changes, while the absence of Allan Alaalatoa is injury-enforced after a head knock.
The halves pairing of Wallabies duo Nic White and Noah Lolesio are back into the starting side, leaving Ryan Lonergan and Jack Debreczeni on the bench to close out the game.
The Brumbies forwards, who were excellent last week, have a slight edge over the Reds side who will need to be at their absolute best in order to give their backline space to run rampant.
Brad Thorn would have been impressed by Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Flook as they were excellent last week for the Reds and if Vunivalu and Corey Toole get in space or try to run each other down, it will be well worth watching.
There are enticing matchups right across the park and the back-row matchup of Rob Valetini, Rory Scott and Pete Samu up against Liam Wright, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson will be one for Eddie Jones to keep a close eye on and will go a long way to deciding this match.
Elsewhere, the fullback matchup of Tom Wright against Jordan Petaia will be one to see who can cement their place for the first Wallabies Test against South Africa in July.
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The Brumbies will be hoping they are well in front before the benches are emptied as the Reds duo of James O’Connor and Jock Campbell look dangerous as they work back from injury and could be a deciding factor in the final 20 minutes.
Game information
Venue: GIO Stadium Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEDT) TV: 9Gem Streaming:Stan Sport Betting: Brumbies $1.52, Reds $2.55 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright.
Reserves: Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp, Tom Ross, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Ben O’Donnell.
Reds (1-15): Dane Zander, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia.
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Reserves:Richie Asiata, Sef Fa’agase, Peni Ravai, Connor Vest, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, James O’Connor, Jock Campbell.
