I talked last week about lazy coaches allowing poorly formed habits to continue – no such problem in Canberra where Stephen Larkham and Laurie Fisher keep control over the ongoing accuracy on all facets of the Brumbies game.
As a result we see that the Brumbies could feasibly provide in the Wallabies twenty three:
- A scrum half in Nic White (who also brings a great kicking game)
- Two fly haves in Toomua and Lealiifano
- Three inside centres with Toomua, Lealiifano and McCabe
- Two outside centres in McCabe and Kuridrani and
- Two wingers in Tomane and Speight.
- I wouldn’t see Jessie Mogg a chance as you’d think 15 will be Folau with Beale as a replacement.
That’s a massive contribution. All of these guys are playing really well. Their lines of running and the accuracy of their passing were there to see for all.
Up front you also see the accuracy in their play. They play with urgency in both attack and defence. They get past the ball which gives a quick recycle and clearance. They can pick and go or play a little wider if they like. You’d think in the forwards they can provide three front rowers – Sio, Alexander and Moore, and two back rowers in Mowen and Fardy, with the latter also able to play lock.
Keeping the Blues tryless is no mean feat, so there’s nothing wrong with their defence either. If we’re looking for the effect of accurate industrious coaching then look no further than the Brumbies.
It’s fair to say it was an excellent away win by the Waratahs – the first by an away team in South Africa this year albeit against a hapless Stormers side. The Waratahs stayed very much in touch and at the half way point in the competition the Tahs could easily turn into the leading Australian conference team.
I thought that moving Beale to fullback and Jono Lance to inside centre was very positive. I was keen for them to try Kurtley at Inside Centre, but I’m now thinking that we need to play him wing or outside centre. Lots of good teams have two or three full backs in their back three. He’s a little bit wasted at 12 – he’s more a doer than a creator and so a bit more space is good. I was also impressed by Horne’s physicality last game.
I always want my big men to come in contact with the opposition frequently. I’ve often had to say to a big fella that for the number of times he comes into contact with the opposition he may as well be a small fella.
No such problem with Kane Douglas who continues to pay well. I’ve lost count of the times he’s come out of the line and belted the ball carrier. I can see a quality Wallaby second row of Kane Douglas and Luke Jones; hard working, impact and making themselves available.
There are still problems with the Waratahs set pieces though which is hard to work out with the personnel they have available.
For the first time ever we see the Western Force go four on the trot with an away win against the Reds, with Queensland’s first loss at home. Well done to them. Again Cottrell, Mathewson, Hayward all stood out and Ebersohn makes a massive difference. How they left him out of the first match of the season I’ll never know.
I did think a few players I’ve been critical of Horwill and Genia – were better – not perfect but better.
The Rebels aren’t too far off the pace – they’re becoming more and more consistent – playing some decent rugby. I heard Greg Martin say that Higginbotham was the best eight in Australia – it escaped my attention if that’s the case! McCalman continues to play well but I just can’t see him being big enough to have the impact you need in an international team. So for me Mowen for 8 and captain of the Wallabies.
All in all it remains pretty good for the Aussie teams and any suggestion that the Australian conference is an easy one is out the window now.
Who could possibly have predicted a table with the Crusaders and Stormers at the bottom and the Force in the top six? The newly returned Lions only a place out from the top spots – she’s a tough competition this year!
Brumbies photos by Michael Thompson, Reds/Force by Sully
