Brumbies vs Force
It’s the knockout stage of Super Rugby AU and the defending champion Brumbies are against the tournament surprise package, the Western Force. The Brumbies are back to full strength as Irae Simone, Nic White and Pete Samu all return in what is a powerful team while the Force have lost Tevita Kuridrani to suspension and Rob Kearney is still out injured. The Brumbies are super experienced in playoff rugby while the Force is in their first knockout game. The recipe for success is simple for the Brumbies, win scrum penalties and use their driving maul to score tries. The Force will need to find a way to stop the Brumbies forward pack to have any realistic chance in this match. Last week the Force showed that they can beat any team on their day as they upset the previously unbeaten log leaders the Reds. The star of that match was undoubtedly Jordan Olowofela as the Englishman ran in a superb hat trick of tries. He showed blistering speed and will look to hurt the Brumbies defence this week. The Brumbies at home will be formidable and are superbly marshalled around the field by the ever green Nic White. The Brumbies scrum will be back to full strength and they have an all international front row with Wallaby Scott Sio another international waiting on the bench. This is an area that the Brumbies will dominate and get penalties so that they can kick to touch and unleash their maul. The Force have surprised many by making the playoffs but this will be a bridge too far as the class and experience of the Brumbies will be too much for them.
TIP: The Brumbies have shown all season that although their strength is in the forwards they do have electric players like Tom Banks and Andy Muirhead in the backline. Noah Lolesio and Nic White will get good ball and if they have find their dangerous midfielders Len Ikitau and Irae Simone in space then it could turn out to be a long night for the Force. The Force may not have playoff experience as a team but they do have experienced players like Jeremy Thrush and Richard Kahui that will need to be on top of their game to assist the younger players in this match. The bookies have heavily favoured the Brumbies and I agree with them. The best odds on a Brumbies victory are at Worldsportsbetting 1.16, Sunbet 1.15 and Playabets 1.10
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Brumbies vs Force
- The last seven meetings have all been won by the Brumbies.
- The Brumbies have won their last eight home matches against the Force.
- The last time the Force tasted victory against the Brumbies was in 2013.
Latest results for both teams
The Brumbies won their last match against the Rebels 20-26 while the Force won their match against the Reds 30-27.
PREDICTION
The Brumbies are brilliant in the first half of matches and in all their games they have held commanding leads but they seem to lack intensity in the second half. The Force are the opposite and score most of their points in the second half. The Brumbies will make their customary fast start and they will build a lead that the Force will not be able to make up. The strength of the Brumbies forward pack will prove too much for the Force to handle therefore I am predicting a comfortable Brumbies victory by at least 9 points.
- Confirmed Starting XVs
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Force
15 Jake Strachan, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Kyle Godwin (c), 11 Jordan Olowofela, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Brynard Stander, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u, 1 Tom Robertson
Odds for this bet
There are the best odds on the Brumbies win:
Worldsportsbetting 1.16
Playabets 1.10
Sunbet 1.15
Odds comparison on a Force handicap
The complete odds on the Crusaders handicap victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting (+15.5) 1.80
Sunbet (+15.5) 1.85
Playabets (+14.5) 1.82
Predictions and Odds in details
The defending champions will be keen to show their home fans that they are not ready just yet to give up their crown and as usual we can expect a fast start from the home team. They need to be weary of this Force team particularly in the last quarter where they score most of their points. The Force must make certain that the Brumbies don’t build too big a lead otherwise this match could be over as a contest very early in proceedings. The Force showed against the Reds last week that they can be dangerous when they get the ball out to their wings and will look to do the same against the Brumbies. I can’t see anything other than a Brumbies win but there isn’t much value on this bet therefore I suggest the Force on the handicap. The best odds on the Force handicap are Worldsportsbetting (+15.5) 1.80, Sunbet (+15.5) 1.85 and Playabets (+14.5) 1.82
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
