Brumbies warm up with tight win over the Force

BRUMBIES head coach Dan McKellar has signed a new contract ahead of next weekend’s kick-off to Super Rugby AU.

Defending champions Brumbies, who have won 24 of their last 33 matches, face stiff competition from the Reds who many are tipping to go one further this season after finishing runners-up last year.

Brumbies edged out last season’s bottom side, Western Force, 29-28 in a pre-season match on Tuesday and McKellar believes the standard will be higher this year across the board.

“As always there is plenty to improve. We learnt a bit about the opposition, they will be much better this year,” said McKellar, who has signed until the end of 2022.

“It was great to give some of our younger players a chance, they have been training really hard over the last ten weeks.

“That win will give the players a big boost heading into the competition.”

The Reds, beaten 28-23 in the final in Canberra last September, have not added silverware to their trophy cabinet at Ballymore since 2011 when James Horwill and Will Genia lifted the Super Rugby crown.

Brad Thorn’s Reds have become the hotbed for Australian talent. Most notable is full-back Mac Grealy, 18, who turned down offers from the NRL to sign with the Reds.

Grealy, also useful on the wing, featured against the Waratahs last week in a 45-33 loss alongside fellow newcomers Ilaisa Droasese and Kalani Thomas.

As for the Waratahs, who face the Reds in round one, former London Irish hooker Dave Porecki will add some experience to a pack that has lost Michael Hooper and Ned Hanigan to riches overseas.

Western Force will be looking to spring a surprise with the addition of Rob Kearney, Tevita Kuridrani and Tomas Cubelli.

Melbourne Rebels will be without captain Dane Haylett-Petty for a number of weeks. The Wallaby star has been out since suffering a concussion in the October’s 43-5 Bledisloe Cup defeat to New Zealand.