Preview: Reds v. Brumbies

Reds v. Brumbies!

Just four years ago this game would be just another easy four points for a struggling Brumbies side. The Reds and the Brumbies have come a long way since then. Now this game is the highlight of the Australian conference and maybe the Super Rugby season.

The anticipation is thick in Queensland. We know we’re in with a chance. Things are falling into place and there is a feeling that our team is about to do something special. The Brumbies have been doing special things for a while. They stumbled in the final match of 2012 to let the Reds squeak into the finals and add a little respectability to a season smashed by injury. But then they roared into 2013 smashing the Reds off the park 24-6. Since then there have been major changes to both sides.

For the Reds Will Genia and James Horwill have returned from injury bringing leadership and aggression back to the team. Quade Cooper has slowly regained confidence after major knee surgery. A new workaholic back row has found its feet and allowed its youngest member, Liam Gill, to shine like never before. And Ant Fainga’a and Ben Tapuai’s midfield partnership has blossomed into something special.

The Brumbies have lost the best openside in the country. And have replaced him with George Smith, possibly the best openside on the planet! Matt Toomua has taken the fly-half role and used it to run his backline like few can. The maturity in his understated game is really pretty to watch. They’ve unearth big mobile props, huge second-rowers and a wrecking ball called Fotu Auelua.

Last Week

The Reds took on the reigning champions at home and came away with a convincing win. Ewen McKenzie would have been particularly pleased with the rounded nature of his team’s display.

The Brumbies came up against the poorly performing Highlanders with predictable results. But Jake White would have been unhappy to come away without a bonus point.

The Teams

The Reds’ only change is Digby Ioane returning from injury The Brumbies have moved Ben Mowen from number 8 to blindside flanker so they can add weight to their pack in the form of Fotu Auelua. Tevita Kuridrani comes into outside centre in place of Andrew Smith, who drops out of the squad.

Reds	Versus	Brumbies
Greg Holmes	1	Ben Alexander
James Hanson	2	Stephen Moore
James Slipper	3	Dan Palmer
Rob Simmons	4	Peter Kimlin
James Horwill (c)	5	Sam Carter
Eddie Quirk	6	Ben Mowen (c)
Liam Gill	7	George Smith
Jake Schatz	8	Fotu Auelua
Will Genia	9	Nic White
Quade Cooper	10	Matt Toomua
Digby Ioane	11	Joe Tomane
Ben Tapuai	12	Christian Lealiifano
Anthony Faingaa	13	Tevita Kuridrani
Rod Davies	14	Henry Speight
Jono Lance	15	Jesse Mogg
	Reserves
Saia Faingaa	16	Siliva Siliva
Ben Daley	17	Scott Sio
Ed O'Donoghue	18	Jordan Smiler
Jarrad Butler	19	Colby Faingaa
Ben Lucas	20	Ian Prior
Chris Feauai-Sautia	21	Pat McCabe
Dom Shipperley	22	Clyde Rathbone
Date:	Saturday 20 April
Location:	Suncorp Stadium	Brisbane
Kickoff:	19:40
Referee:	Glen Jackson (NZL)

For a full list of teams see our teams list post.

The Plans

The Reds and Brumbies will probably play very similar styles. They will flood the breakdown in attack looking for quick ball to unleash their backs. In defence they will compete for everything, trying to turn over possession, and if that’s not possible slowing down the ball. The Brumbies will try to dominate the scrum and the Reds will have their work cut out for them trying to break even. The Reds may try to counter the Brumbies’ long kicking game by running everything back at them.

The Match-ups

• The Captains: James Horwill v. Ben Mowen. These guys know how to motivate! They live for their sides and the players will follow them anywhere.
• The Generals: Will Genia v. Nic White. I have never seen a player come back from a major injury like Genia has. He seems to be the world’s form halfback. But White is no mug! And his kicking game is at least as good as Genia’s.
• The five-eighths: Quade Cooper v. Matt Toomua. No one can throw a pass like Cooper. But not every piece of his brilliant play works out. Toomua is a different type of fly-half, working the players around him into space at regular intervals.
• The back rows: Quirk, Gill and Schatz v. Mowen, Smith and Auelua. The youngest back row in Australia against the oldest. Youth and enthusiasm trying to overcome experience and power.
• The opensides: Gill v. Smith. This is mouth-watering. Wallaby spots up for grabs, Smith playing like he never left and Gill playing like never before.
• The packs: The Reds’ lineout v. the Brumbies’ scrum. And then there is the breakdown! The Reds might win the lineouts. The Brumbies should win the scrums. But the rucks and mauls will be vicious.
• The back threes: Ioane, Davies and Lance v. Tomane, Speight and Mogg. Speight is the form Australian winger. But Tomane isn’t far behind. Davies is probably the fastest man on the ground, but will he find space to use his speed and can he shut down Tomane? Ioane will provide go-forward all night and Mogg can split a team in seconds. Lance defends like few others and his split role with Cooper suits the Reds perfectly.
• The  coaches: Ewen McKenzie v. Jake White. These guys have taken failing clubs and turned them into special teams. I can’t split them.

I could keep going through the entire sides. There a tight contest all across the park. Hookers, the second rows, the centres… few positions have clear winners.

Whom to watch

George Smith is the name on everyone’s lips. Saint George’s match-up against Liam Gill is my highlight of this match. Will Genia’s form and his combination with Cooper are always worth watching.

The Fearless Prediction

I want to pick the Reds! But the Brumbies are so good. But I want to pick the Reds! Okay, I’m picking the Reds. Why? The form guide doesn’t count in this one. The teams seem pretty even. Their stars are firing. Both coming off wins. Both won the same number of games. The one thing that we’ve got that could tip the balance is Fortress Suncorp. Is Father Lang’s park enough to push the Reds over the line?

Reds by 12

 

Check out Scott Allen’s opinion piece on the lead-up to the match and Lee Grant’s preview of the other Australian matches this weekend. And you can get all the latest info on our Facebook, Twitter and Google plus pages.