Brumbies v Blues Round 18

[Bardon]

Blues have looked a different team since the June test break, a team to watch for next year. Brumbies have been terrible the last 2 weeks. If it's nerves about securing a finals spot then hopefully if they do qualify they pick it up in the finals.

I still think they'll scrape in, what a terrible end to a fantastic season if they miss out.

 

[Slim 293]

Poor Slim is probably hitting the bottle pretty bad right about now. I wouldn't blame him either.

Indeed.

Too many missed tackles.

Goal kicking poor.

Refs somehow miss Nonu's late shoulder charge in the first half.

Ian Smith seems to have left his rule book a home regarding the rucks.

Anyway, the Brumbies should've gone for the line earlier on instead of the long range penalty attempts that clearly weren't working out for them.

The Blues leave their best performance for the end.

Brumbies leave their worst for the end.

 

[Dan54]

Well there you go, it's up to you Reds

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Jake White clearly expressing his wish for the Tahs to get up.

This is all very exciting for a neutral I must say. However, I have a bottle of JD ready to go in the event the Force manage an upset - I just don't take anything for granted.

Interesting times ahead!

 

[tranquility]

Wow...

 

[Bardon]

Jake White clearly expressing his wish for the Tahs to get up.

This is all very exciting for a neutral I must say. However, I have a bottle of JD ready to go in the event the Force manage an upset - I just don't take anything for granted.

Interesting times ahead!

It's hard to see the Force turning over the Crusaders. But then again, 2 hours ago, it was hard to see the Brumbies being so inept they didn't even get close to a losing bonus point. Today is shaping up to be a strange and exciting day.

 

[No4918]

What's with all the surprise? Brumbies were BAD last week.

come on Reds.

 

[Bardon]

What's with all the surprise? Brumbies were BAD last week.

come on Reds.

Agree they were bad last week. But if you were plotting their performance on a chart, this week they fell off a cliff.

 

[Ruggo]

Blues were good and pitty for Sqeak's 100th. I hope the Brumbies get through but neither way congratulations on a fine season indeed.

Plenty of respect for what you have done this year.

 

[Slim 293]

Well Brumbies, you've blown this one.......

I would think our only hope would be for the Cheetahs to beat the Sharks.......

I doubt the Lions will beat the Bulls, and both the Bulls and the Sharks' for and against means that the Bulls are there with a win, and the Sharks won't need to win by much.......

Sigh....... they had to leave the brain farts for the end.......

 

[kiap]

Half-time score check from the Republic:
Bulls 20 - 20 Lions


Full-time score:
Bulls 37 - 20 Lions

 

[Bardon]

Both the Cheetahs and the Lions raised the hope that they might do the Brumbies a favour with their first half performances only to collapse in the 2nd half.

 

[redstragic]

Great season Brumbies. From being a mob of blokes without any fight to being in the mix this year, look out 2013, you'll yesterday to motivate you all year.

 

[nathan]

Watching the last few performances, I think there needs to be a considerable focus on defense and tackling in the backline. With the exception of McCabe and Smith, there's been some pretty poor examples especially in the game against the Blues. Also concerned that the strength in the tackle contest on both attack and defense from the Brumbies forwards has all but dropped off in the back end of the season. Players like Fardy, Carter, Moore, Alexander and even Hooper to some extent seemed tired after the June test break.

Proud of what the team achieved and I'm hoping to see the emergence of even more depth next year with Tom Cox, Cam Crawford, Silvia Silvia. Not to mention word this morning that Cheika is rejecting the Force job, which should wrap up Pocock for the number 7 jersey.

The Brumbies will be a real threat to the title next year, in the meantime it's time for the team to hold their heads high and look back on a stellar first season under Jake White.

Best not to take any Mad Monday ideas from Raider's players either. BrumbyJack, you're in the know...so if you could just pass that on it'd be great.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Mad Monday will be a quiet affair. The RSPCA has tightened the bestiality laws on the back of the Raiders incident.

 

[What2040]

Brums have had a fantastic year and on form should have been able to put the Australian Conference to bed.

Classic case of a "CHOKE" - feel for Brums fans who have been on a well deserved high all year and got smashed down at the pointy end.

 

[spectator]

A disappointing end to the season for the Brumbies but hell, what a good season it was! I really didn't rate them after seeing them in the Cairns trial at the start of the year but they really stood up as a unit. Jake White is obviously an excellent coach and I've been impressed by Mowen as a leader.

They need to forget this last performance against a Blues team who came to play and take all of the many positives from their season into 2013. The forwards are solid but will miss Hooper going forward but their backline with Lealifano and To'omua coming back will be one to watch.