SUPER RUGBY PACICIFIC, MAY 7th,2023 ACT BRUMBIES v MELBOURNE REBELS
AAMI PARK,MELBOURNE
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin (c), Richard Hardwick, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, Stacey Ili, Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eloff, Pone Fa’amausili, Tim Cardell, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, David Feliuai, Joe Pincus
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, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
Referee. James Doleman
Assistant Referees. Fraser Hannon, Natarsha Ganley
The Rebels have already upset the Waratahs and Reds this season so they feel confident against other Aussie sides. Playing at home will help and they get back two important players in centre Stacey Ili and backrower Richard Hardwick.
Both are valuable lifts in energy at just the right time for a side which has invested a lot of emotion and effort into the season.
The Rebels have a very settled team now and good strikepower. They’ll have a crack and take some risks against the Brumbies.
The Brumbies are a much better team with backrower Pete Samu and centre Len Ikitau back on the park. Should be a good clash but the Brumbies are due a flat game after setting high standards just about every week.
The Brumbies have won five of the last six times the teams have met so, on history, this is a win for the Canberra side. Sense it will be closer and the Rebels will have a shot at another upset.
PREDICTION
Falling short to the Hurricanes in Wellington, the Brumbies are on the road again but just a few hours south as they look to keep in touch with the Chiefs on the leader board. Naming a strong line-up with the return of Len Ikitau and Pete Samu, the Brumbies are keen to make a statement in Melbourne and return home with a bonus point.
Meanwhile the Rebels scrapped through with a victory over Moana last week but will need to do a lot more if they’re to knock off the top Australian side. Bolstered by the return of two international stars Stacey Ili and Richard Hardwick, the Rebels will be a hard side to put away but a firing Brumbies side will get the job done. Brumbies by 7 points.
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