Super Rugby: Force are no match for Brumbies

While Western Force’s hopes of reaching the finals were hit by the Crusaders winning on Friday, the Brumbies head to Perth on Saturday hoping a win at HBF Park can deliver them a top-two finish in Super Rugby Pacific this season.

It’s the final week of the regular season and the Force might have given themselves too much to do on the final Saturday.

The Crusaders' bonus-point win over Moana Pasifika means the Force would need a bonus-point win of their own against the Brumbies and the Melbourne Rebels to do them a favour against Fijian Drua, to finish in the top eight.

Against a strong Brumbies outfit, it’s a big ask for a Force side that have managed to win just four of their 13 games in the competition so far this year.

. What: Western Force v Brumbies
. Where: HBF Park, Perth
. When: 19:35 (AEST), Saturday 1st June 2024
. How to watch: Stan Sports
. Odds: Western Force 2.70, Brumbies 1.47

Force left to rue defensive shortcomings once again

Conceding 402 points this season at an average of 30.9 per game, it’s not hard to see where things have gone wrong for head coach Simon Cron and his Force side this year.

A recent 56-7 defeat to the Chiefs and a 59-13 loss to the Reds in their last game, just show how fragile this Force defence can be.

The Brumbies will have watched the tapes closely and should be full of confidence in beating a Force side that will be without Wallabies fly-half Ben Donaldson due to a groin injury.

Max Burey has been handed the No.10 jersey for Saturday and it will be interesting to see how the 25-year-old moves the Force around the paddock against the Brumbies.

The hosts are 2.70 to land their fifth win of the season to at least give themselves a chance of reaching the top eight but they will need a bonus point and the Rebels v Drua result to go their way.

Brumbies ready to pounce

With the Blues and Hurricanes sitting level on 51 points at the top of the standings, the Brumbies find themselves just three points behind going onto Saturday’s game.

With the Hurricanes hosting the Highlanders and the Blues facing the Chiefs in Auckland, the Brumbies will be determined to make the most of any slip-ups by the top two.

Head coach Stephen Larkham has made just two changes to his starting lineup that secured a 53-17 win over the Melbourne Rebels last time out.

Blake Schoupp returns to loosehead prop, while Rory Scott comes back into the side at openside flanker.

Considering the heavy defeats the Force have suffered recently, the Brumbies look to be good value at 1.91 with -5 in the Line market.

Looking to the Anytime tryscorer market, Brumbies’ winger Corey Toole is available at 1.83 to touchdown, while he’s 9.50 to score the opening try of the game at HBF Park.