Wallabies jerseys at stake: Brumbies ready for blockbuster Reds derby
The ACT Brumbies are ready to trade blows with the Queensland Reds in what shapes as an Australian contender for Super Rugby Pacific match of the year.
The third-ranked Brumbies travel to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, where they’ll face a fifth-placed Reds outfit reeling from their shock loss to the Western Force last weekend.
The usually reserved Larkham didn’t shy away from the challenge of battling the competition’s highest-scoring side, suggesting Wallabies jumpers would be on the line in the clash between Australia’s two leading sides.
“There’s been plenty of media speculation around where the Wallabies team should come from,” he said.
“Which Super Rugby franchise should have the biggest makeup of Wallabies players.
“When we look at the game this weekend, we’ve certainly got some challenges – one-on-one, positional groups, but also just the challenge of putting a really good performance together.”
Larkham challenged his troops to match the high-octane rugby the Reds – who have notched 182 points so far – have been producing.
“That’s part of Brumbies DNA, and I’m certainly impressed with the way the Reds have played this year,” he said.
“They’re a team that has scored some really good tries. They look very dangerous in attack, in all aspects of the game.
“The game will naturally evolve that way, and we certainly want to play that way.
“The most important thing for us, particularly when you travel, is to come away with a really good performance.
“Hopefully on the back of that performance, you get the result that you’re after.”
The Brumbies have named an unchanged 23-player squad for the trip north, recalling key front-rowers James Slipper and Lachie Lonergan to the starting side.
They remain without injured outside-back duo Andy Muirhead and Len Ikitau, each sidelined with knee trouble.
In a particularly tantalising back-row battle, Brumbies talents Rob Valetini and Charlie Cale will square off with Reds Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight in a clear race for Wallabies selection.
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments