Game Day : Brumbies vs Crusaders in Trans-Tasman opener

The Brumbies are hopeful three weeks on the road against new opponents will help ease the heartbreak of their Super Rugby AU grand-final loss to Queensland. Watch every minute of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now

It doesn’t get any easier for the Brumbies, who were beaten after the bell and face New Zealand’s top three teams in the opening rounds of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman which kicks off this Friday.

Their first match is against the Super Rugby Aotearoa champions the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon.

Lock Darcy Swain said packing their bags for the new challenge meant they didn’t have time to dwell too much on the defeat and don’t plan to revisit the loss either.

Swain himself has particularly painful memories after being yellow-carded in the 77th minute and being sidelined while James O’Connor scored the 84th-minute match-winner.

“We’re not going to review it; we’re trying our best to park it,” Swain said on Tuesday.

“It’s a good opportunity to jump back on the horse – it’s a big task but we back ourselves.

Folau Fainga’a returns to the starting side in his 50th Super Rugby game.

CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Cody Taylor (c), Michael Alaalatoa, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Whitelock, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Sanders, Cullen Grace, Bryn Hall, Richie Mo’unga, Leciester Fainga’anuku, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Manasa Mataele George Bridge

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Tamati Williams, Oliver Jager, Scott Barrett, Brendon O’Connor, Ereatara Enari, Fergus Blake, Seve Reece

INs: Brendon O’Connor, Ereatara Enari, Fergus Blake, Manasa Mataele

OUTs: Sione Havili Talitui, Mitchell Drummond, Will Jordan, Seve Reece,

BRUMBIES (1-15): Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Henry Stowers, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Tom Wright, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Solomone Kata, Tom Banks

Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Harry Lloyd, Tom Ross, Tom Hooper*, Luke Reimer, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Reesjan Pasitoa, Mack Hansen

INs: Tom Hooper, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Solomone Kata

OUTs: Caderyn Neville, Nic White, Andy Muirhead

The post Game Day : Brumbies vs Crusaders in Trans-Tasman opener appeared first on Rugby Daily News.

source https://rugbystream.us/game-day-brumbies-vs-crusaders-trans-tasman-opener/