After three-and-a-half months on the sidelines, professional rugby will at last recommence with the start of Super Rugby AU.
The new competition, created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent cancellation of the regular Super Rugby competition after seven rounds, begins this Friday when the Reds and Waratahs meet in Brisbane.
Plenty has occurred off the field in Australian over the past few months, leaving Aussie rugby fans craving some on-field action in order to forget about Rugby Australia board squabbles, crippling financial and employment losses, and as recently as last week, rumours of player strikes.
Friday's kick-off can't come soon enough.
Read on for the team lists as they come to hand, odds and analysis of both this weekend's fixtures.
Friday, June 3
Reds vs. Waratahs, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:05pm [AEST]
Reds: Bryce Hegarty, Jock Campbell, Hunter Paisami, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu, James O'Connor, Tate McDermott; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Hoopert. Replacements: Alex Mafi, JP Smith, Josh Nasser, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Angus Scott-Young, Scott Malolua, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Josh Flook
Waratahs: Jack Maddocks, James Ramm, Alex Newsom, Joey Walton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Will Harrison, Mitch Short; Will Harris, Michael Hooper, Lachie Swinton, Rob Simmons, Ned Hanigan, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Robbie Abel, Angus Bell. Replacements: Tom Horton, Tetera Faulkner, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Tom Staniforth, Jack Dempsey, Michael Mcdonald, Ben Donaldson, Tepai Moeroa.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Reds $1.38, Waratahs $3.10; Reds -7.5 $1.85, Waratahs +7.5 $1.95
Verdict: Australian rugby's oldest rivavlry has a bold new look, the likes of Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons and James O'Connor aside. Two of the youngest ever squads to have contested the game will meet at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, under adjusted laws at arguably the lowest point in the game's history in Australia. But they can provide some respite with an entertaining display, something hopefully the trial laws can help foster. Certainly the Reds were by far and away the better team earlier in the year, although they only had the two wins for their efforts. Look for Brad Thorn's side to continue to play up-tempo footy, but it will be whether they can limit their turnovers and mistakes that will be the measure of their game plan's effectiveness. Fraser McReight's promotion to the starting side gives the Reds are hugely mobile back-row unit, with two fetchers capable of getting on the ball, while Hunter Paisami's return at outside will allow them to straighten the attack in the wider channels. The two Waratahs debutants, Will Harris and Joey Walton, come armed with big raps but this will be huge step up to anything they have played previously. This an intriguing fixture to open Super Rugby AU, one Queensland seem to hold the edge for on this occasion in contrast to recent history. Reds by five.
Saturday, July 4
Brumbies vs. Rebels, GIO Stadium, Canberra, 7:15pm [AEST]
Brumbies: Mack Hansen, Andy Muirhead, Tevita Kuridrani, Irae Simone, Tom Wright, Noah Lolesio, Joe Powell, Pete Samu, Tom Cusack, Rob Valentini, Murray Douglas, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga'a, James Slipper. Replacements: Connal McInerney, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Lachlan McCaffrey, Will Miller, Isaak Fines, Bayley Kuenzie, Len Ikitau
Rebels: Dane Haylett-Petty, Andrew Kellaway, Reece Hodge, Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Matt To'omua, Ryan Louwrens, Michael Wells, Richard Hardwick, Josh Kemeny, Michael Stolberg, Matt Philip, Phone Fa'amausili, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon. Replacements: Efitusi Ma'afu, Cameron Orr, Jermaine Ainsley, Trevor Hosea, Esei Haangana, Rob Leota, Frank Lomani, Andrew Deegan.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Brumbies $1.29, Rebels $3.60; Brumbies -9.5 $1.50, Rebels +9.5 $1.90
Verdict: These two teams met in Round 2 of Super Rugby this year, the Brumbies emerging victorious following a 39-26 victory. But it certainly wasn't all the two-time Super Rugby champions' way, and the Rebels proved thereafter that they are indeed a more accomplished team in 2020. The Rebels have, however, been forced to relocate from Melbourne and set up camp in Canberra, the only positive being that they did it a week ago and spared themselves further disruption closer to kick-off on Saturday. The Brumbies are without fullback Tom Banks, who had been in outstanding form earlier in the year, but the nucleus of the side that had established themselves as one of Super Rugby's teams to beat earlier in the year remains. And there is, vitally, a touch more class and experience on the Brumbies bench, too. Look for this match to be in the balance until the 65-minute mark, but the Brumbies should pull away over the closing stages. Brumbies by 10.
BYE: Force