Brumbies vs Reds preview:

If last year is anything to go on it would not be that fun game to watch. Last year was really hard to sit threw some of the Australian derby’s and that can be shown by their placement in the overall log with only the Brumbies making the top 10. But it is a new season and the reds have gone and spend some money on quality players, that along with their young bacline that has matured the past season might be what they need to be competitors this season to the top of the Aussie conference. The brumbies on the other hand will keep playing to their strengths and use their massive pack to dominate the game. If the Reds want to compete their forwards will have to stand up to the challenge and get the ball to their very dangerous backline.

Key Mach ups:

Folau Fainga’a vs Brandon Paenga-Amosa: The battle of the Australian hookers. These two will both want to outplay the other and I reckon the winner would leapfrog the other to that number 2 jersey in the Aussie setup. They will also want to prove that they are up to play against the best in the business and that they can challenge any hooker in any team. We all know that if Folau shows up ready to play he will most probably score a try and be a real menace to the opposition. Brendon will do the basics right and do allot of the donkey work, but if he get the ball on one of his busty runs the defence will also have their hands full with him.

Tevita Kurendrani vs James O’Conner: These two are both coming to the end of their careers but still am able to take the game away from the other team. The reason they are a key mach up is because the Reds will look to play with their backline and expose the defence of the Brumbies and James is an integral part of that, If Kurendrani is able to shut him down and make his affect minimal it would be hard for the Reds to get on the front foot. Kurendrani on the other hand will be used as a battering ram to take the ball up and give his team front foot ball. If either of these come of and have a good game the other team will struggle to get into the game.

Teams:

Brumbies:

Starting XV: 1 Scott Sio, 2 Folau fainga’a, 3 Allan Alaatatoa (c), 4 Darcy Swain, 5 Murray Douglas, 6 Rob Valentini, 7 Tom Cusack, 8 Pete Samu, 9 Joe Powell, 10 Noah Lolesio, 11 Tom Wright, 12 Irae Simone, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 14 Solomone Kata, 15 Tom Banks.

Bench: 16 Connal Mclnerney, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 James Slipper, 19 Caderyn Neville, 20 Will Miller, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Andy Muirhead.

Reds:

Starting XV: 1 JP Smith, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Angus Blyth, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Liam Wright (c), 8 Harry Wilson, 9 Tate McDermott, 10 Isaac Lucas, 11 Henry Speight, 12 James O’Connor, 13 Jordan Petaia, 14 Jock Campbell, 15 Bryce Hegarty.

Bench: 6 Alex Mafi, 17 Dane Zander, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Izak Rodda, 20 Seru Uru, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Hunter Paisami.

Prediction: I believe the Brumbies will have enough fire power to beat the Reds up front and win the game.