2021 Super Rugby AU round 1 preview

Super rugby AU returns this weekend in Australia and the action kicks off on Friday with a doubleheader of excitement on the first two.

There are two matches this weekend and both are on Friday.

Brisbane will host the opening match of the new Super Rugby AU season when the Reds play the Waratahs.

There are 9 regular rounds of Super Rugby AU ahead and then a Qualifying final and the Grand final on 8 May. Follow all of the action here. 

Reds v Waratahs Super Rugby AU Preview

The Reds have played the Waratahs 34 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Reds have won 14 matches, lost 19 times and drawn once.

The Reds 14 wins out of 34 matches gives them a record of winning 41% of their matches against the Waratahs regardless of venue.

The average score when the Reds the Waratahs is : Reds 19 Waratahs 34.

This weekend the match will be played at home for the Reds and the Queenslanders have had home advantage in 18 of the 34 matches.

In those 18 Reds home matches the Queensland side have won 8 matches and lost 9.

The average score when the Reds play the Waratahs in at home is : Reds 22 Waratahs 23.

The Waratahs have won four of the last five meetings between these teams.

Last five results.
2018-06-02 Reds 41-52 NSW Waratahs
2019-03-09 NSW Waratahs 28-17 Reds
2019-05-18 Reds32-40 NSW Waratahs
2020-07-03 Reds 32-26 NSW Waratahs
2020-08-08 NSW Waratahs 45-12 Reds

The Bookies have given the Waratahs a 9 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Match Officials and details
Match : Reds v Waratahs
Date : Friday 19 February
Venue : Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick Off local: 18:45
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 1:Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 2:Jordan Way
TMO : Brett Cronan

Teams

Reds

Dane Zander, Alex Mafi, Feao Fotuaika, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor (c), Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell

Replacements:Richie Asiata*, Harry Hoopert, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith*, Tuania Tali Taualima, Moses Sorovi, Bryce Hegarty, Ilaisa Droasese*

*denotes potential Super Rugby debut

Waratahs

Angus Bell, Tom Horton, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Sam Caird, Jack Whetton, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Jack Dempsey, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harrison, James Ramm, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Alex Newsome, Jack Maddocks

Replacements:Dave Porecki, Tetera Faulkner, Sio Tatola, Jeremy Williams, Hugh Sinclair, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Mark Nawaqanitawase

Western Force v Brumbies Super Rugby AU Preview

The Western Force have played the Brumbies 20 times in Super rugby since 2006 and the Western Force have won 4 matches, lost 15 times and drawn once.

The Western Force’s 4 wins out of 20 matches gives them a record of winning 20% of their matches against the Brumbies regardless of venue.

The average score when the Western Force the Brumbies is : Western Force 16 Brumbies 25.

This weekend the match will be played at home for the Western Force and the West Australians have had home advantage in 10 of the 20 matches.

In those 10 Western Force home matches the home side have won 2 matches and lost 7 and drawn one

The average score when the Western Force play the Brumbies in at home is : Western Force 22 Brumbies
24.

Last five results
11-Mar-16 Force 14-31 Brumbies
17-Jul-16 Brumbies 24-10 Force
10-Mar-17 Brumbies 25-17 Force
25-Jul-20 Force 0-24 Brumbies
29-Aug-20 Brumbies 31-14 Force

The Bookies have given the Force a 5 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Match Officials and details
Match : Western Force v Brumbies
Date :Friday 19 February
Venue : HBF Park, Perth
Kick Off local: 19:00
Referee: Graham Cooper
Assistant Ref 1:Sam Jones
Assistant Ref 2:Jordan Kaminski
TMO : Kyle Burnett

Teams

Western Force

Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Thrush, Fergus Lee Warner, Tomas Lezana, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Jono Lance, Marcel Brache, Kyle Godwin, Tevita Kuridrani, Byron Ralston, Rob Kearney

Replacements: Andrew Ready, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Tim Anstee, Tomas Cubelli, Jake McIntyre, Richard Kahui

Brumbies

James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Mack Hansen, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Banks

Replacements: Connal McInerney, Harry Lloyd, Tom Ross, Nick Frost, Tom Cusack, Ryan Lonergan, Reesjan Pasitoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa