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My last article was my preview and predictions for the Australian teams in the 2011 Super Rugby tournament. I was going to give my appraisal of the five teams after the first four rounds here.
However, after the abomination that is the Brumbies this year, never better reflected than in the site of a limping Brumby Jack leaving Canberra Stadium, I just can’t help but comment on them and provide some guidance on how they can actually win another game. So, I will have to surmise the other teams next week.
I better start with some positives, and believe it or not there are some. Firstly, Pat McCabe, who seems to be one of the only players to continually make the advantage line and defends offensively. Secondly, the scrum and in particular Dan Palmer and Ita Vaea. The scrum is doing well (better than the penalties against it show), Vaea is looking the goods.
That’s about it. The rest is rubbish.
A lot has been written about the sacking of Andy Friend (or Andy no-Friends, as he is known), some of it on how the senior players need to take responsibility and step up. In some ways this is unfair pressure on the leadership group, but, they do need to stand up, the issue is this was the case before the sacking of Andy Friend (Stephen Moore the exception).
For the last couple of years it appears that the senior players are not taking responsibility for their inactions on the field. This does not provide good leadership to the younger players.
The playing rot starts at 9, 10 and 12. I know lavish praise has been heaped on Robbie Coleman, and maybe I am being too harsh here, but he is too small to start the game. Especially playing outside Matt Giteau. Two small men in the 10/12 positions do not give enough penetration in attack or starch in defence.
I would rather see Coleman in the last 10 to 20 minutes of the game when his speed and stepping will expose tiring players. As it is, but the time it gets to that point in the game he has been so exhausted and battered, he doesn’t have the impact he could.
Josh Valentine is not helping, either. His decision making is poor and his passes are not much better. I think it is time for Phibbs to take over. He provides a solid platform that is needed at this time especially with the rest of the backline not functioning.
Finally, to the main reason that the Brumbies are not firing: Matt Giteau (perhaps his French adventure is playing on his mind?). I know people will make comment on how I can signal him out in a team of 15 blah, blah, blah. At the end of the day, he is not a number 10.
Coaches, fans, everyone it seems but Matt Giteau can see this. He is at best a 12. As a 10 he continually goes sideways cramping the men outside. This is why Coleman gets pounded and Ashley-Cooper has looked so ineffectual. The good 10s run straight then across, thus drawing in the defence and providing plenty of ground for the outside backs to have some freedom.
This is not giving the Brumbies the go forward they need to establish good multi-phase play and drawing in defenders.
His kicking is also average. Against the Reds, he kicked out on the full from a 20m restart and kicked dead from half way. Both lead to points for the Reds. I also question his role as captain.
His decisions on when to kick for points and when to keep the foot on the pedal are not good.
Case in point, against the Reds down 19-12 with four minutes until half-time, The Brumbies are on the attack deep in Reds territory and looking good.
The Reds give away a penalty and a yellow card is issued. So against 14 men and with a forward pack that already had the upper hand, I can’t understand how a penalty shot was taken and not kick for touch, can anyone explain that to me?
Down by a converted try, up a man on attack and the soft option is taken? Granted the kick was good and the score goes to 19-15. But, then from the kick off, dropped ball, scrum penalty, Cooper converts, 22-15 at half time. Wasted opportunity.
There is, however, light at the end of the tunnel, and it is based on the return of Lialiifano and Peter Kimlin as well as the form of Pat McCabe. With the addition of Matt Toomua, the Brumbies can turn around the problems and move forward. From my perspective the backs need to be:
9 – Patrick Phibbs
10 – Matt Toomua
11 – Francis Fainifo
12 – Pat McCabe
12 – AAC
14 – Samu Wara
15 – Christian Lialiifano
Notice no Matt Giteau. Perhaps a stint on the bench will freshen him up and relieve some of the pressure.
I would like to see McCabe go to 12 as he will give straight hard running and draw defenders which should allow AAC more room. He is also a great offensive defender and would have made a huge difference against SBW in the game against the Crusaders last weekend.
At least I can predict a Brumbies win this weekend. Against the bye they are not even a sure thing, but they might just get there in the end.
As a Brumbies fan, all I ask is that the team goes forward – they have the players, now they need the attitude, resolution to make the tough decisions, and resolve to play well.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.