Event of the Day: Brumbies v Hurricanes

Our event of the day...

is the first match of the Super Rugby quarter-finals as the Brumbies face the current champion Hurricanes at the GIO stadium in Canberra. A Brumbies win would be the first win by an Australian side against a New Zealand side in the entire 2017 Competition.

The teams have already met in the regular season - the Hurricanes running out as convincing 56-21 winners. The Brumbies do however hold some statistics in their favour - they lead the overall series 13-10 and have a home record of 8-4 against the Hurricanes. On the Brumbies team-sheet Wallaby flanker Scott Fardy stands out as the main man with his strong line-out play and impressive carrying in attack. On the bench, it is great to see the return of Christian Lealiifano who has been out the game for 10 months after been diagnosed with leukaemia.

The star man for the Hurricanes will be reigning World Rugby player of the year Beauden Barrett who will intend to unlock the Brumbies defence and unleash his dangerous outside backs - brother Jordie, Ngani Laumape, Julian Saveaand Nehe Milner-Skudder. All Black Dane Coles returns to the Hurricanes bench after four months off rugby due to concussion symptoms. It is all set-up for a cracking Trans-Tasman battle - the Hurricanes are favourites but the Brumbies will be hard to beat at home.

Honourable mentions...

around the globe go to day two of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale - Americans Jordan Speith, Brooks Koepka and Matt Kuchar are currently tied in first place on 5 under.

It is stage 19 of the Tour de France with the 222.5km flat stage from Embrun to Salon-de-Provence. There are three Super League matches, Wigan hosting Leeds Rhinos at the DW Stadium is the pick of the games. In the AFL, the Crows battle Geelong Cats at the Adelaide Oval. There are eight T20 Blast matches with the London Derby between Surrey and Middlesex at the Oval the pick of the games. In the UEFA Women’s Championship in the Netherlands, Germany are up against Italy and Sweden face Russia. It is the semi-finals of the Men’s Hockey World League Semifinals with Spain versus Germany and Australia taking on Belgium.

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

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Photos by Super Rugby

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