Check Out Some Great Rugby on DIRECTV

Anyone with DIRECTV gets rugby for no additional charge on channel 490.

A great pro game to catch this week would be the REDS v the BRUMBIES, both Australian teams in the "Auper 15" competition that is NFL-like in the Southern Hemisphere, with teams from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, all in one professional league.

It takes place Sat. @5:35am local time, so set your DVRs before you go to bed.

Preview Reds v. Brumbies (from GREENANDGOLDRUGBY.COM)

Now this game is the highlight of the Australian conference and maybe the Super Rugby season.

The anticipation is thick in Queensland. We know we're in with a chance. Things are falling into place and there is a feeling that our team is about to do something special. The Brumbies have been doing special things for a while. They stumbled in the final match of 2012 to let the Reds squeak into the finals and add a little respectability to a season smashed by injury. But then they roared into 2013 smashing the Reds off the park 24-6. Since then there have been major changes to both sides.

For the Reds Will Genia and James Horwill have returned from injury bringing leadership and aggression back to the team. Quade Cooper has slowly regained confidence after major knee surgery. A new workaholic back row has found its feet and allowed its youngest member, Liam Gill, to shine like never before. And Ant Fainga'a and Ben Tapuai's midfield partnership has blossomed into something special.

The Brumbies have lost the best openside in the country. And have replaced him with George Smith, possibly the best openside on the planet! Matt Toomua has taken the fly-half role and used it to run his backline like few can. The maturity in his understated game is really pretty to watch. They've unearth big mobile props, huge second-rowers and a wrecking ball called Fotu Auelua.

Last Week

The Reds took on the reigning champions at home and came away with a convincing win. Ewen McKenzie would have been particularly pleased with the rounded nature of his team's display.

The Brumbies came up against the poorly performing Highlanders with predictable results. But Jake White would have been unhappy to come away without a bonus point.

The Teams

The Reds' only change is Digby Ioane returning from injury The Brumbies have moved Ben Mowen from number 8 to blindside flanker so they can add weight to their pack in the form of Fotu Auelua. Tevita Kuridrani comes into outside centre in place of Andrew Smith, who drops out of the squad.


Reds

Versus

Brumbies


Greg Holmes 1 Ben Alexander
James Hanson 2 Stephen Moore
James Slipper 3 Dan Palmer
Rob Simmons 4 Peter Kimlin
James Horwill (c) 5 Sam Carter
Eddie Quirk 6 Ben Mowen (c)
Liam Gill 7 George Smith
Jake Schatz 8 Fotu Auelua
Will Genia 9 Nic White
Quade Cooper 10 Matt Toomua
Digby Ioane 11 Joe Tomane
Ben Tapuai 12 Christian Lealiifano
Anthony Faingaa 13 Tevita Kuridrani
Rod Davies 14 Henry Speight
Jono Lance 15 Jesse Mogg

Reserves 
Saia Faingaa 16 Siliva Siliva
Ben Daley 17 Scott Sio
Ed O'Donoghue 18 Jordan Smiler
Jarrad Butler 19 Colby Faingaa
Ben Lucas 20 Ian Prior
Chris Feauai-Sautia 21 Pat McCabe
Dom Shipperley 22 Clyde Rathbone
  
Date: Saturday 20 April 
Location: Suncorp Stadium Brisbane
Kickoff: 19:40 
Referee: Glen Jackson (NZL)