Brumbies put title hopefuls on notice
Australia’s most successful team in Super Rugby history isn’t just lurking, it’s on the charge.
Forget the Blues and Crusaders, at least for a few moments, and pay close attention to the combative Canberra-based Brumbies.
Some were reluctant to anoint them serious contenders after they knocked over the Highlanders and Hurricanes at home, suggesting they had to prove they could win in New Zealand first.
Challenge accepted, challenge completed – and convincingly.
Their 38-28 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday made it three Kiwi scalps in as many weeks, improving their overall record to 10-1.
That’s equal with the Blues, who have a two-point buffer at the top of the ladder on the back of their romp over the meek Rebels.
But Blues fans shouldn’t start planning for the playoffs to run through Auckland yet, not with a date against the Brumbies in Canberra in a fortnight.
Indeed, the Brumbies won’t just fancy their chances of beating the Blues on home soil, they’ll go into Friday’s humdinger against the Crusaders in the Australian capital confident of getting one over their old foe.
While Brad Thorn’s Reds went into the season touted as the top side from across the Tasman, there is no doubt the Brumbies aren’t just the best Aussie outfit, but one of the best teams in the competition.
Head coach Dan McKellar has constructed a team not just capable of matching it with the Kiwis, but one that can push them around and bury them.
Having bullied All Blacks captain Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula and Luke Jacobson in Hamilton, Pete Samu, Jahrome
Brown and Rob Valetini can mix it with any loose forwards trio in the competition.
No team is more effective than them at launching strikes from their efficient lineout, while their accurate and patient attack has proven it can turn field position into points.
To think the Kiwi bookies are still offering $9 for them to win the competition, behind the Blues and Crusaders (both $2.60) and Chiefs ($5.50).
The next two weeks will be telling for the two times champions (2001 and 2004) and four times runner-ups.
Highlanders breathe live into campaign
The prospect of all five New Zealand franchises making the playoffs looks increasingly likely on the back of the Highlanders’ 27-19 win against the lacklustre Reds in Brisbane.
Say what you will about the ridiculous playoff format, but with just three wins to their name, you’d have to fancy the Highlanders’ chances of finishing inside the top eight with games against the Force (home), Waratahs (home) and Rebels (away) to play.
Kudos must go to Tony Brown’s troops for hanging tough and not throwing in the towel after starting the season 1-8.
As for the Reds, who admittedly have had more than their fair share of injuries, what a disappointment they’ve been.
Pivot Lawson Creighton, filling in for the injured James O’Connor, simply isn’t ready for Super Rugby, while their defence – highlighted by the weak effort attempting to stop Thomas Umaga-Jensen on Friday night – lacks the physicality and fight of the Brumbies.
Crusaders are far from done
Crusaders fans can again breathe easy, after their side righted some wrongs by hammering the Force 53-15 in Perth on Saturday night.
After a couple of lacklustre performances, head coach Scott Robertson, who lost four players to Covid-19 ahead of kickoff, would have been chuffed to see his team slash its error rate and put a plucky Force outfit away.
To do it with three debutants, including 19-year-old hooker George Bell, and without copping any cards, was another plus.
Now, at a time they usually ramp things up with the business end of the competition fast approaching, they get captain Scott Barrett back ahead of Friday’s crunch match against the Brumbies.