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ACT Brumbies
48
Match Complete
Highlanders
32
N. Lolesio | 79 | |||
P. Samu | 77 | |||
N. Lolesio | 70 | |||
N. Lolesio | 66 | |||
C. Toole | 65 | |||
P. Samu | 61 | |||
59 | F. Burns | |||
59 | F. Fakatava | |||
54 | F. Burns | |||
N. Lolesio | 50 | |||
C. Toole | 49 | |||
46 | T. Umaga-Jensen | |||
N. Lolesio | 31 | |||
D. Swain | 29 | |||
27 | F. Burns | |||
26 | D. Lienert-Brown | |||
N. Lolesio | 22 | |||
J. Brown | 21 | |||
19 | F. Burns | |||
18 | J. Nareki | |||
L. Ikitau | 13 | |||
11 | F. Burns |
7 | Tries | 4 | ||
5 | Conversions | 3 | ||
1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Brumbies are looking for back-to-back wins and to close the gap on the table-topping Chiefs when they play the Highlanders in Sunday afternoon Super Rugby Pacific action. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:30pm (AEST).
The Brumbies are back at home for the first time in a month and this time it is expected to be sunny for afternoon rugby on Mother’s Day.
The home side are leading a congested pack of four teams behind the Chiefs and control their own destiny as they strive to go one better in 2023 and secure a top two finish and the possibility of a home semi-final.
Continuity is the key for the Brumbies with only one change as Ollie Sapsford takes the place of Tamati Tua, who has been building slowly in 2023 among new teammates.
The contract news of Nic White has finally been put to bed this week and hopefully the weight of that saga has been lifted from his shoulders and he can play in the style he is known for.
It is a shame that Aaron Smith is absent from the Highlanders side as that clash would have been one to keep an eye (and an ear), on. Referee Graham Cooper may be breathing a sigh of relief having one less ‘assistant’.
The Highlanders have had a hard time of it in 2023 with several big losses, combined with a heavy injury toll not helping their cause. They are currently scrapping for the final spot in the playoff positions with the Melbourne Rebels and could play spoiler in the remaining games, but hopefully not this one.
The halves pairing of Folau Fakatava and Freddie Burns will need to have things go their way and cause what many would see as an upset win.
Prediction
The Brumbies did just enough to keep the Rebels at bay last week and will be looking to build on that display to put away the Highlanders. The absence of both Ethan de Groot and Aaron Smith from the Highlanders team are big boots to fill and it remains to be seen if they have the depth to do so. Brumbies by 13.
Game information
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 2:35pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Odds: ACT Brumbies $1.16, Highlanders $5.25 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright.
Replacements: Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton.
Highlanders (1-15): Daniel Lienert-Brown, Andrew Makalio, Saula Ma’u, Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, James Lentjes, Billy Harmon (c), Hugh Renton, Folau Fakatava, Freddie Burns, Jona Nareki, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Fetuli Paea, Scott Gregory, Connor Garden-Bachop.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Sean Withy, James Arscott, Mitch Hunt, Jonah Lowe.
Referee: Graham Cooper
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