Rebels yell but Super Rugby coaches still under the pump

Sheek and Peter K I am with you on Phipps his passing is fast low and accurate, he is very solid in defense, great little runner and reads the game very well. As you say with time and confidence he will far surpass Ginia. He would be even better feeding Cooper. Cipriani had a bad game with the boot but still very good in getting the ball to the Centers. What I would like to see once Gerard comes back is that Rooney drops to the bench and Kingi play on the wing. He made mistakes at 15 but was devastating with ball in hand... a little too much at times getting him self isolated. Rooney is yet to impress me. bar the first 20 mins the effort from the team was great.

I'm with Lordie here. What are you smoking johnny-boy??

You're just regurgitating statistics again. As I said before, anyone can do that, 79% of people know that. Look beyond the score and the headlines. The Brumbies played pretty well, certainly their best team effort this year. Good attitude in defence, with some strong hits and good counter rucking at times, they hurt a few Tahs. Backs made several breaks, but couldn't finish. Forwards struggled to get over advantage line at times, but still made inroads and offloaded well. Still some basic errors esp, bad passes. Most importantly they played as a team, you could see they were playing for each other and all playing to the same game plan. They had direction, knew their own job and how it fit with the game plan. They went close to winning against a team with far superior players. Imagine the loss will hurt them, will be interesting to see how they go from here. So yeah, agree with your second last sentence. Are you English?

The general thrust of your argument that in Union the coach's contribution ends when the team runs out onto the paddock and that everything that happens till the final whistle is absolutely the player's collective responsibility runs to the very Essence of Rugby. If they are not fit enough to finish a game or are short on skills then we can in some circumstances justifiably blame the coach. But reading the Ref and capitalising on the opportunities the opposition and conditions offer is primarily the leadership group's responsibility and all Rugby players should be willing to contribute to that on-field process. However the clipboard-ticking control-freak fascista bring it upon themselves if they even try to pretend they are a singular contributor to the overall success of a team. Just as coaches do not knock-on neither do they manufacture tries. Saying that however coaches can corrupt a side if they have any internal disrespect for the Laws or the fair-play demands of the game as Martin Johnson seems to be doing with the Poms. A timely article.

'I've designed structures all round the world' ... Building towers with playing cards in youth hostels doesn't count ;)

four straight losses, and Australia's worst team at the moment, sounds like an improvement to me

Classy - having not seen you on The Roar before bjornthor, I'd like to congratulate you for making a complete ass of yourself. Most people on here don't rote learn anything. They are just well informed rugby enthusiasists and follow the games and their team with passion. You on the other hand pop up out of nowhere, make outrageous cliams, throw childish insults and don't know when to quit. No doubt you are planning a sophisticated retort as you read. For the record, tonight's loss makes it the first time since 2005 the Brumbies have lost 4 in a row and only the second time in 6 years they have lost to the premier side in Australia (the Tahs) at home. However, the Brumbies are travelling much better without Friend. Time to go to bed now old boy.

so I'll ask again. Second biggest defaet in the club's history and first loss to the Reds on home soil in 12 years points to a team on the up? Not to mention childish smirks of calling me a 12 year old. You're a big tough bloke behind that keyboard fella.

Sorry nerd, I follow the game, but I also have a life. Didn't know that. Do you rote learn the scores or did you look them up for you post?

Nope, not kidding. Red's tore Cheetah's apart today. Still think they are rudderless? I'd hardly call their play woeful against Brumbies, just a different style as said. Much flashier today against a much weaker outfit. Credit to the Brumbies. It's way too obvious to say: 2 losses after sacking the coach = basket case. I actually think that term fits the Tahs better, they are in way more trouble and I'm a Tahs fan. Their capitulation to the Saders, given their talent, experience, time together as a team and form at the time is concerning. Then, to lose to the Cheetah's after the bye, that's a better definition of woeful. Hey, are you actually a ball boy? Just want to know if I'm debating a 12 year old.

and for your information, Friend was technically in charge against the Rebels but in reality he wasn't. He couldn't address the players both before the match and at half time. I figured being so well versed in the machinations of what was and is going on there you would have known that bjornthor. Less singing into your hammer and more attention to the facs old boy.

you really aren't kidding are you bjornthor. reds were fantastic today against CHeetahs. They were woeful against the Brumbies.

Anyone can quote scores Ballboy. No doubt they are struggling to find their feet, but they do seem to be playing more from the same hymn sheet now Friend has gone. They lost to the Rebels with Friend in charge. Had a red hot go at the Reds who aren't rudderless. Reds played to the new breakdown interpretation favouring the defensive team, which paid off. Brumbies played as a team, scored three tries to one, good defence, just gave away too many penalties trying to run the ball out of their own half. Played pretty well and were unlucky to lose this one. Saders were punishing, they destroyed the Tah's, so don't think this means too much. Lets see what happens tonight!

I have been very impressed with Saffy, I actually rate him ahead of Hodgson as back up to Pocock. He has not had 1 bad game. Cipriani had a poor kicking game, the Rebels lineout was stronger and the Canes back 3 are a real threat and Cipriani failed to kick it out often, and he chipped kicked from our 22 instead of long. He also goes to the Cooper school of non tackling. Cirprianis worst game IMO.

David, Very impressed with Rebels scrumhalf Nick Phipps. I think he has a better all-round game than either Genia or Burgess. His pass is quick, long & smooth. He has Genia's toughness & can run like Burgess. He varies his game nicely. I think all he needs is self-belief that he can mix it with the best, which should come. The backrow of Delve, Lipman & Saffy is gelling wonderfully. They really work well together. The tight five really stepped up last night. But the outside backs were all over the place, which is understandable considering the injuries. Kingi was impressive as a stand-in fullback.

Gold Ballboy - but his Lordship did ask ...

definitely. I'm the galaxy's number one quidditch fan.

Was at the match last night, great effort and the crowd really gets into it there was 16,000 last night and they nearly lifted the roof a couple of times, good to see that sort of atmosphere at rugby games

'And the Brumbies aren’t “a basket case”, they were struggling before Andy left and they’re playing better without him.' Really bjornthor??? Lost to the Rebels after they were smacked by the Tahs 43 - zip. Lost to a very rudderless Reds outfit for the first time in 12 years on home soil. Lost to the Crusaders by 42 points in their second worst defeat ever. THankfully had a bye and still suffered a loss in McCabe injured and Giteau still running at 10. Are sitting last on the Australian table and 12th ion the overall table. Just how is that a better result than where Friendy had them??? Good article David. If the Tahs learn nothign else this year they must learn that there are players who play and coaches who coach. If the supporters who have been super critical of Waugh learn nothing else this year they can at least appreciate his captaincy capabilities. There is no way the Tahs would have been handed their asses if he was on the paddock against the Cheetahs last week. They may still have been beaten, but not like that. Mumm should never captain again.

god I hope you're writing tongue in cheek JB. I've been ranked in the top 99% in just about everything.