30 July 2020, by: Carl Lewis

Super Rugby AU: Round 5 Predictions

The Western Force take on the Rebels at the Leichhardt Oval in Super Rugby AU on Friday. On Saturday, the Brumbies host the Reds at the Gio Stadium in a top of the table Super Rugby AU clash.

Friday 31 July

11:05 – Western Force v Melbourne Rebels

The Western Force have lost their opening three Super Rugby AU matches after years out in the wilderness. The results were expected but they did put on some encouraging performances in their first two.

They impressed against the Waratahs on the opening weekend and went down 23-14 in Sydney before losing 31-24 to the Reds in their second match. There was certainly reason for the Force to be optimistic.

They did get a painful wake-up call against the tournament favourites Brumbies when they lost 24-0 last weekend. The Force have yet to play a match at their home ground in Perth due to COVID-19 restrictions.

On the other side, the Rebels will be upbeat after beating the Waratahs 29-10 in a fine display at the SCG. The commanding forward display which freed up their backs will instil a lot of confidence ahead of a fixture the Rebels should be winning, in fact, they will see five points in waiting.

Prior to last week, the Rebels lost 31-23 at the Brumbies on the opening weekend before drawing away 18-18 to the Reds. Like the Force, the Rebels are playing their fourth consecutive away match.

You’d have to fancy the Rebels to hand the Force their fourth straight loss in Super Rugby AU especially after their big win over the Waratahs last week and the Force flat looking very flat against the Brumbies.

Prediction: Rebels by 13.

Best Bet: 

Saturday 1 August 

11:15 – Brumbies v Reds

The Brumbies put on their best performance beating the Western Force 24-0 in Sydney. With that win, the tournament favourites are unbeaten after three matches and are at the summit of the Super Rugby AU table. 

Their road to the top started with a 31-24 win over the Rebels on the opening weekend and then they went on to beat the Waratahs 24-23 in a tight finish.

Like their opponents, the Reds are also unbeaten in Super Rugby AU and sit second on the table behind the Brumbies. They started the competition with 32-26 win over the Waratahs before a late fightback earned them an 18-18 draw with the Rebels.

The Reds were on a bye last week but in their last match, the Reds beat the Western Force 31-24 after weathering an early storm from the Force and reeling in their 14-point lead.

The Brumbies have won seven of the last 10 matches against the Reds including a 27-24 win earlier this year in Canberra. The Reds have not won in Canberra since 2014 – a run of five matches.

Prediction: Brumbies by 3.

Best Bet: