The Brumbies travel to Brisbane this weekend after suffering their biggest superrugby defeat ever last weekend.
They have stuck by novice playmaker Matt Toomua for this must-win clash despite last week’s record 56-7 loss. Toomua is the only backline player to start in the same position as last week with a major reshuffle being done. The return of Mark Gerrard has been a big boost for the Brumbies.
The Reds will have the weight, of only one Super rugby win from fourteen meetings against the Brumbies, firmly on their shoulders. That win was as far back as 1999 in Brisbane.
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19:40 Local time, 11:40 SA time
Referee: Ian Smith (Australia)
ARs: Matt Goddard (Australia), Andrew Lees (Australia)
TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)
Reds:
15 Mark McLinden, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Brando Va’aulu, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ezra Taylor, 7 Poutasi Luafutu, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill, 4 Van Humphries, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements:
16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Jack Kennedy, 18 Adam Byrnes, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Charlie Fetoai, 22 Anthony Faingaa.
Brumbies:
15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Stirling Mortlock, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Gene Fairbanks, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Stephen Hoiles (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements:
16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Nic Henderson, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Henry Vanderglas, 20 Joshua Holmes, 21 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 22 Francis Fainifo.

No real worry about the outcome of this game for the Sharks.
Provided we win this afternoon of course. 😉
The Highlanders might surprise you. 😀
@Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 2) :
😳 I flippen hope not.
We need to win this after the Blues didn’t win yesterday. 🙁
Reds 3 – 0 Brumbies
After 4min with a PK from Cooper
13min
Mortlock slots a PK
Reds 3 – 3 Brumbies
Fairbanks try!
Converted by Mortlock
Reds 3 – 10 Brumbies.
24min
Hoiles try!
Converted by Mortlock
Reds 3 – 17 Brumbies
34min
Kimlin TRY!
Converted by Mortlock
Reds 3 – 24 Brumbies
39min
Try Genia
Conversion missed
Reds 8 – 24 Brumbies
HALF TIME
Another genia try!
Another missed conversion
Reds 13 – 24 Brumbies
46min
This score looks more respectable. It’s a Derby it has to be a close margin. And because I picked a small margin on SB. 😉
Alexander scores the Brumbies BP try.
Mortlock converts (Scoring big for my FL starting XV here)
Reds 13 – 31 Brumbies
49minutes.
Ashley Cooper TRY!!!
Mortlock converts
Reds 13 – 38 Brumbies
64min
Hoiles scores a second try.
Mortlock converts! (7 from 7)
Reds 13 – 45 Brumbies
75min
Fainifo TRY!
Mortlock converts (8 from 8)
Reds 13 – 52 Brumbies
79min
FULL TIME
Reds 13 – 52 Brumbies
Log updated
Brumbies go 6th
Reds stay 13th.
The Brumbies are one of 4 teams on 32 points.
Bullies is eliminated from LMS
Rahulplett goes through to the next round.