Brumbies v Force Rd2 Saturday 22 February GIO Stadium, Canberra 7:35pm

[Yoda]

Good coaching from Cron and team. Sets up another big match v the Reds next week!

 

[Yoda]

Hope Brumby Runner‘s ok? Probably still in shock!

 

[Adam84]

Larkham looked like a genius last week for testing his stars but you have to wonder if their complete lack of game time cost them here. I can’t imagine it helped.

I think the benefits of that may still pay off as the season plays out though. You’d hope so anyway.

 

[Adam84]

Good coaching from Cron and team. Sets up another big match v the Reds next week!

I’m nervous after that performance by the Force, and in Perth as well!!

 

[Equalizer]

This is becoming an absolutely classic devastating Force loss.

This.comment didn't age well.......

 

[Mr Pilfer]

What a great win, Cron is really getting these boys to dig deep.

Tizzano vs Reimer for back up Wallabies 7 was a non event, Carlo destroyed him.

Think the wallabies need to move on from AAA and Slipper as well but hopefully they build into the season as not enough alternatives ready to go but Marley Pearce progressing well.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Outstanding performance from the boys tonight, especially in the pigs. Our lineout and breakdown work were absolutely first class. We also won a lot of collisions too, which always helps. The halves controlled the game well and we took our chances, which was pleasing.

To win from the position we were in says a lot about the group I think. We're headed in the right direction.

 

[Yoda]

I thought Donaldson, Potter and Pietsch were the best backs on ground, followed by Muirhead...

But the forward pack is where the Force controlled it, Tizzano, Dolly, Williams were all very impressive. Swain stuck it to his former teammates as well..

Ikitau very quiet. Wright a bit rusty. Meredith went Ok for first start I thought. Ryan Lonergan perfect from the tee as was Donaldson. As was Lynagh in the Reds game for that matter. 100% from all three Aussie kickers would be rare but great! I thought Muirhead was gone in that collision with Williams. Glad all was good. Did think maybe just a penalty there. Williams went up to try and stop kick and Muirhead kept moving forward as Williams came down. Unfortunate but not a yellow card imo. The yellow cards for a knock down as with Pietsch should be changed to a cynical play and a straight knockdown . He tipped it up and was diving trying to catch it. Only a penalty again there I thought, so that is where the rule needs to be changed. Brumbies will regroup and move past this.

 

[dru]

This.comment didn't age well.......

Sure just a crazy finish, but all the same, the comment was what most of us were thinking in context at that time.

 

[dru]

I thought also that Charlie Cale had more than a few moments of beast mode. The sort of player you want with you, not on the opposition.

I'm not minding the reffing, noting that the Reds were also YC hammered. While the advantages called against the Force in D in their 22 seemed excessive compared to previous years I thought the Force were begging for it. Pietsch may have been hand up but a one-handed auto-lurch that was never really in a position to work. I can't fathom the Williams card though.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

This.comment didn't age well.......

I stand by my bad takes. Cmon though it was looking like one with that start.

 

[todd4]

Must admit when we were given our 4th card I really thought we were done.

 

[Adam84]

Ikitau very quiet. Wright a bit rusty. Meredith went Ok for first start I thought. Ryan Lonergan perfect from the tee as was Donaldson. As was Lynagh in the Reds game for that matter. 100% from all three Aussie kickers would be rare but great! I thought Muirhead was gone in that collision with Williams. Glad all was good. Did think maybe just a penalty there. Williams went up to try and stop kick and Muirhead kept moving forward as Williams came down. Unfortunate but not a yellow card imo. The yellow cards for a knock down as with Pietsch should be changed to a cynical play and a straight knockdown . He tipped it up and was diving trying to catch it. Only a penalty again there I thought, so that is where the rule needs to be changed. Brumbies will regroup and move past this.

Can’t say I loved the late dive by Ikitau into the back of Potter grounding the ball following his intercept try, he made no attempt to wrap the ball just looked like he wanted a hit on potter, stuff like that isn’t needed.

Ikitau was blowing up, have no idea about what though, potter was well onside.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I’ll tip the Brums for an upset win over the Chiefs next week in NZ. I just think they’ll be out for it after that. Force were great and I don’t want to take away from their win but the 4 cards against the Force, throwing intercepts for fun and the general lethargy for everything except min 40-60 should have them absolutely raring to go if they are a legitimate contender. Larkham will be challenging a lot of them to step up after that.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Can’t say I loved the late dive by Ikitau into the back of Potter grounding the ball following his intercept try, he made no attempt to wrap the ball just looked like he wanted a hit on potter, stuff like that isn’t needed.

Ikitau was blowing up, have no idea about what though, potter was well onside.

Was a little bit off but Potter handled it well to not have anything come of it. I thought Len was dirty at the initial pass.

Rush of blood. Lucky he’s a clean player I guess. If it was Swain we’d all want him banished.

 

[TSR]

I thought Len was cranky at his own players but hard to tell.

I will say for a guy who I thought might be a bit short to be a top class lock Jeremy Williams is doing a damn fine imitation of one. Card aside he was outstanding last night. Reds better make sure their lineout is on point next week.

 

[Yoda]

I’ll tip the Brums for an upset win over the Chiefs next week in NZ. I just think they’ll be out for it after that. Force were great and I don’t want to take away from their win but the 4 cards against the Force, throwing intercepts for fun and the general lethargy for everything except min 40-60 should have them absolutely raring to go if they are a legitimate contender. Larkham will be challenging a lot of them to step up after that.

No chance. Chiefs are on fire.

 

[LeCheese]

Are the Brums still the better team on paper?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

No chance. Chiefs are on fire.

Again, I’ll stand by bad takes. Not gonna defend it when they get pummeled but I’m just throwing it out there I’ll back them for it.

Brumbies aren’t a bad side, nothing has indicated that to me going on previous years, talent on board and the win in Fiji was huge. A contending side should absolutely come out swinging next week.

 

[TSR]

Are the Brums still the better team on paper?

I think they still are. I don’t think we should get too carried away with the loss. Most of their best plays didn’t play any trial games which has to make a difference. As Adam said above I suspect Larkham’s strategy will pay off in the longer run. But the risk is that in a comp where it is such a sprint dropping a game at home that you were favoured to win can cost a home semi or final.

I think we just give credit where it is due - the Force put pressure on all over the field and we’re good enough to get the win.

Still - the beauty of sport is that you get to dust yourself off and try again next week. None of the Brumbies players suddenly became mugs and, if anything, maybe this will serve to give them a bit of a kick along.