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The ACT Brumbies will be out for revenge of their 2022 semi-final loss to the Blues when they clash in Super Round on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 2pm (AEDT).
The Blues won both games between these sides in 2022 and both of those were absolute belters with the combined winning margin just 3 points.
2023 has seen both sides open their season with a win, but it was the Blues who were the most impressive as they put away a hapless Highlanders side that had no answers for the star-studded backline of the Blues.
Blues winger Mark Telea had an absolute field day last week racking up stats with ease and Brumbies livewire winger Corey Toole will have to use all his tricks to keep him quiet.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald has the luxury of naming an unchanged backline full of excitement but will have to do without Akira Ioane in the forwards. Luckily for MacDonald, he can call on the equally devastating Hoskins Sotutu to make up for Ioane’s absence.
The Brumbies crashed the Waratahs party last week and are hoping to do the same to the Blues and have also named an unchanged backline from the win in Sydney.
There are changes in the forward pack as Lachlan Lonergan is back into the starting side and the comeback story of John Ulugia continues for a second week, although he’s probably hoping he only plays less than 30 minutes after more than 70 last week.
James Slipper comes in for Blake Schoupp in the front row as the only other change and his experience will be vital. The pack is one area the Brumbies might have an edge on the Blues, but they will need to get stuck in early and roll up the sleeves to nullify the Blues and avoid giving the backline space or they could find themselves in big trouble.
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Game information
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne Referee: Ben O’Keeffe Kick-off: 2pm (AEDT) Streaming:Stan Sport Betting: Blues $1.19, Brumbies $4.75 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Blues
1. Joshua Fusitu’a 2. Ricky Riccitelli 3. James Lay 4. Patrick Tuipulotu 5. Cameron Suafoa 6. Tom Robinson 7. Dalton Papalii 8. Hoskins Sotutu 9. Finlay Christie 10. Beauden Barrett 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 13. Rieko Ioane 14. Mark Telea 15. Stephen Perofeta.
Replacements: 16. Kurt Eklund 17. Ofa Tuungafasi 18. Marcel Renata 19. James Tucker 20. Adrian Choat 21. Taufa Funaki 22. Bryce Heem 23. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Keepkens
Brumbies
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1. James Slipper 2. Lachlan Lonergan 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) 4. Nick Frost 5. Cadeyrn Neville 6. Rob Valetini 7. Rory Scott 8. Pete Samu 9. Ryan Lonergan10. Jack Debreczeni 11. Corey Toole 12. Tamati Tua 13. Len Ikitau 14. Andy Muirhead 15. Tom Wright.
Replacements: 16. John Ulugia 17. Blake Schoupp 18. Rhys Van Nek 19. Darcy Swain 20. Luke Reimer 21. Nic White 22. Noah Lolesio 23. Ollie Sapsford
