ACT Brumbies could be the dark horses

The Brumbies struggled to make enough line breaks in the backs because Gits, as always, failed to take the ball straight to the line and then offload. Instead he crabbed across towards his 12. I would have thought Bernie might have worked him through this. It will take more time, obviously. They run it to the sideline instead of spreading it wide quickly. The only time he takes on the line is when he tries to get through a gap, and usually it's so telegraphed it can be shut down.

I must say the scrums were a lot better in this Brumbies - chiefs game as not a lot went to ground - and those that did ended up with a short or long arm. I was impressed at how the Brumbies dominated the scrums and as the longer season progresses, this will win games. Any idea how Palmer is going?

Not so much the Dark Horses of 2011… but just overseen by a press with their tabloid Tahs or Reds blinkers on... A punter should never over look one of last years favourites when coming from such a strong stable. If the Brumbies fire they be amongst the front runners.

Handles, you are dreaming son. Must have dipped those glasses in some Red Wine. The Tahs will boss your boys at the breakdown again, as I said before Braid was inreplaceable, just how good he is was shown by the Blues return to form too. Going backwards old Coops, doesn't look so good anymore, does he?

I think you do need to take your red glasses off Handles...you're writing in the wrong post. Now go and give both lenses a good clean.

Agreed, I definitely think they will perform above expectations. Teams find it tough to win in Canberra so they are in with a chance. I was glad to see Frankie get over the line- coming back from a broken leg last season. Was also really impressed with Colemans debut- a lot of positives for me.

Maybe I am just looking through my red glasses, but if McCalman, Pocock, Hodgson and Brown didn't turn the ball over at the breakdown, and didn't get in the faces of the Reds inside backs, then that would be a sad day for Australian Rugby - because all of them are current or recent Wallaby loosies. The Force have their weaknesses, but speed and aggression ath te breakdown won't be one of them. The Reds were under pressure all day from the Force loose 4, and kicked away a lot of possession because of it. But they won, and O'Connor's try was well and truly against the run of play. I am not worried...yet. Next weekend will reveal a lot, but Waugh, Mowen and Dennis don't present the same threat, in my view, that the Force managed.

You right Ball-bay I am a turn-coat, and there will no doubt be more poisonous flip-flops all season. I still only rate Gits as the 4th best Australian Number 10. 1. Quade Cooper (he had a shocker yesterday, and will be targeted in defence, but overall is still the most dangerous for me) 2. Berrick Barnes (looked good because playing a hopeless and clueless badly coached team.) 3. James O'Conner (wow, I really like the way he played, I hope the Force win a few more this year) 4. Gits (Played okay, but started his usual crabbing across the field as soon as the team was on the back foot) It's not that I think the Brumbies are any good; it's just that the Australian Conference is the weakest with the Rebels. I think the Brumbies probably have a little more depth especially in the forwards, than the Reds. This new format will definitely not the suit the Kiwi teams who are bashing the living crap out of each other, each weekend. The Saffas like the Aussies have one definite away win. For the Aussies it's the Rebels with a bonus point. For the Saffas it's the Cheetahs but it's always a tussle. Sadly their is no money in Bloemfontein, like my mate says, who the hell would want to live there? For me it’s not the Brumbies who will be a dark horse, although I think they will improve slightly from last year. The Blues are my dark horse, with the Lions and the Force as the big improvers this year.

One correction- Brumbies won 28-20. Not sure the Brumbies will figure in finals footy- given the number of errors made by the chief they were lucky in the end.

One point of correction John- the final score was 28-20. Not bad considering how poorly the Chiefs played. Wish the Brumbies all the best but can't see them figuring in finals footy.

I thought Dan Palmer was great - I said a year ago the Tahs have to hang onto him - a young tight head who can really scrummage. Giteau looked to me like he was trying hard and being busy, but really, Cooper's modern skill set leads the way and makes Giteau look ponderous. Even Hynes in that Reds teams looks a step or two behind. Cooper, JOC and Beale are just light years ahead. And whoever said it - yeah, the article does read a bit like a press release. Why do they have to try to pump the guys up so much? And I must comment on the rugby knowledge of Kearns and Marto. Kearnsy has cred and is lovable. But he has no idea about the game, and even less about the rules. Just no idea. It's astonishing. This is how much of a clue Marto has. When asked to pick their WC Wallaby team before the tournament started, Marto had JOC and Beale on the bench. Beale - on the bench - our standout last year. It was so he could fit Chambers in at 13 (a great choice after yesterday's horror) and push AAC to fullback. And no room for JOC anywhere. I saw those teams and just shook my head. As someone else said, Kearnsy doesn't even seem to have a clue about scrummaging.

Brumbies were OK but the Chiefs have all the organisational skills of the ALP in Government i.e. NONE. Brumbies will get smashed by stronger teams/

I thought Giteau was outstanding in the first half when he was running forward. In fact the whole Brumbies backline looked dominant. As soon as Giteau fell back into his old way of running sideways he took the rest of the backline with him and they looked second rate. If Giteau can get that out of his game the better off the Brumbies will be. Dan Plamer is a revelation in the scrum, his techniques is outstanding if he can be consistant I wouldn't rule out a Wallaby spot.

On the commentary front. I turn down the Fox hype and drivel for the Australian games.

Brumbies had some good moments, and hassled in defense causing the chiefs to screw up and blow a few likely tries. But thats good play hats off to those Brumbies players who halted the chiefs line breaks. Gits game was good but can improve. But the game was messy as were most matches this weekend. I don't know about being dark Horses but I do think they have been over looked by the rugby experts in the pre-season rumblings. the Bookies had them at 11:1 about 5th or 6th to win the S15. I think that is more realistic. Oh and Blues looked good on the weekend hey have a lot of talent. I think this will be a very mixed year with the new format, my crystal ball doesn't have either the Crusaders or Bulls winning the comp. It will be another. I do think Salvi will have a huge year... And nice to finally see a brumby winger score a try...

Wow Suzy, you've been rubbishing the Brumbies for two weeks and now all of a sudden they're your number 2 team. How quickly some people turn but I won't hold it against you. I too just watched the Reds / force game and anyone with half a brian and both eyes open would have to admit that Giteau played twice as good as Cooper who spent half the game hiding at fullback cause his coach stil thinks he can't tackle and the other half kicking the ball away. Great pass to Faiinga's hip 10 metres out.. Reds were very lucky to get away with a win and it was the Force's immaturity that let them down - the reds were woeful. Their fowards were demolished in every facet and their backs seemed to be playing for themselves. Again, Cooper's contribution to the team was pathetic. I'd have JOC is there before him on tonight's performance.

Actually I am leaning to the Australian Conference staying exactly in that order, for a while (maybe even to the end) 1. Tahs 2. Brumbies 3. Reds 4. Force 5. Rebels The reason is it was plain to see the Reds are not the same team without Danial Braid. Force turned them over again and again at the breakdown. The Brumbies are also flying under the Radar this year. No one has any expectations for them, whereas all eyes are on the Reds, and there seems a lot of extra pressure. The Brumbies had that pressure last year. It's early days, but I am sticking my neck out and saying the table will stay the same for a while. Especially next week, when the Reds will probably lose to the Tahs in Sydney and the Brumbies will score a bonus against the pathetic Rebels.

You anti Giteau crowd really have issues. He played very well. Not exceptionally but certainly well. There really isn't question about this if you are an independent and open minded person. Having just watched the Reds game he was certainly better than Quade. Gits made 5 half breaks and was constantly over advantage line and putting team on front foot. Yes he made a couple of errors as did most across park on both sides. I wonder if Brums beat Reds in two weeks whether criticism will remain. I reckon they will be a chance to do a job on them like last year. The Brums were outstanding in first 30 and then scrapped for next 50. Good to hang in there and get the win when up against it. They hung in well when it wasn't going their way. Coleman was great as was young Ita Vaea on debut. Ashley Cooper was a little quiet for my liking but he will definitely lift and i expect he will be pumped to dominate his buddy Mortlock next week. They will need to improve to contend but so will every team that played this weekend. Tahs cannot be judged on last week. Let's see match up against Reds before we all then start believing their press.

Assuming the Rebels don't flip their form in 7 days, a hit out against the Rebs could work out perfectly for the Brumbies. A chance to find some rhythm and to iron out some bugs. Gits had a couple of bad kicks, but nothing a bit of go-forward from the likes of Hoiles and Elsom wouldn't fix.