Now that we’re halfway through the 2015 season, it’s time to have a quick look at how the Brumbies are faring so far.
Ladder position – 1st in Aussie Conference; 2nd overall – 5 wins – 3 losses – 1 bye
Competition Points – 25 points – 5 wins + 5 bonus points (3 x 4 try bonus, 2 x losses by less than 7)
Attack
The Brumbies bolted out of the gates early in the season with six tries against the Reds in round 1 with the fingerprints of Stephen Larkham all over the back line play with all six scored by the backs.
Not to be outdone, the forwards have also been getting over the line with their rolling maul a feature of their play throughout the season so far and they haven’t been scared to use it from as far out as beyond the 22m line.
So far the Brumbies have crossed the line 22 times in eight games for an average of 2.8/game although the 10 tries scored against the Reds in two games skews that figure slightly. Their leading try scorer so far is Ben Alexander with three whilst next best sees six players bagging two tries with five backs on that list.
They have a total of 187 points from their eight games that leaves them 7th on the list.
Defence
The Brumbies defence has been fairly solid this year with only seven conceded so far, the best in the competition one better than the Hurricanes and Chiefs. Four of the eight games have seen them hold the opposition try less which would give contact/defence coach Peter Ryan some satisfaction. Of the seven tries conceded, three were from the Waratahs, two by the Force and one each from the Chiefs and Blues.
They’ve let in 99 points, which is three better than the undefeated Hurricanes, although the New Zealanders have played one less game.
Their best effort was against the Reds in Brisbane where they didn’t concede a point and the next best was in the Cheetahs and Reds matches in Canberra where they only conceded just a solitary penalty goal.
What’s working
The attacking structures that Larkham has implemented after the years where it seemed the attacking prowess in the back line was restricted to some degree and termed ‘Jakeball’ under the coaching of Jake White.
The fact Larkham has been in a coaching role with the Brumbies for fo years now means the message hasn’t been lost in translation and everyone knows their role.
The discipline has been the best in the comp with an average of 9.3/game penalties against giving the side more freedom to play their game.
The other feature of their game was David Pocock back to form against the Blues and if he keeps that up then opposition teams will be in for a long day.
What’s not working
Like most teams, if the forwards aren’t getting over the advantage line or winning the physical battle, it makes it tough and that has been the case for the Brumbies in games where they have lost those battles. Up until the Waratahs game they had won or matched the battle but the Waratahs took the physicality up a notch or two and nullified their strength and it showed again against the Blues.
Additionally, up until the last game their injury toll had largely been manageable with David Pocock the only big name to miss games after syndesmosis in his ankle after just one game with Jarrad Butler filling in.
But now that Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani and James Dargaville are out, the back line is looking a bit thin to the point the Brumbies only have nine fit backs for their match with the Rebels. Add in Scott Sio and it’s becoming a bit of a concern that hopefully won’t derail their finals aspirations.
Surprise Packet
Rory Arnold – There was a spot open in the second row and the giant second rower came into the side after a stint with the Griquas in the Currie Cup in South Africa. He has teamed up well with Sam Carter in the second row and for someone who only took up the game in the last few years has done very well to adapt to the pace of Super Rugby.
Below expectations
Jesse Mogg – Mogg was on the back foot after missing a chunk of the pre-season after undergoing major shoulder surgery. He then missed the Force game with an ear infection and then sustained another set back in club rugby a few weeks ago and has only clocked up 16 minutes in the season so far. If the Brumbies sustain another injury to their back line, he’ll be needed.
What’s next
The Brumbies have a stretch of games at home that they need to win if they are to be conference winners. Games against the Rebels, Highlanders and Waratahs are followed by the tour to South Africa against the Stormers and Lions – games that earlier in the season looked winnable but with the recent form of both those sides make the tour now looks very tricky.
There’s also their second bye and trip to Perth to face the Force before the final game against the Crusaders in Canberra, which will no doubt be an epic encounter.
Stats courtesy of Opta Sports
