Angry Brumbies coach Tony Rea unloaded on his players and the Super Rugby team’s management following their historic 29-20 loss to the Lions on Saturday night.
The Johannesburg-based Lions spoiled Brumbies captain Matt Giteau’s 100th match with their first win in nine attempts at Canberra Stadium.
For a second consecutive week, the intensity of the Brumbies fell sharply in the second half.
“We are just a mob without any fight in us when it gets tough, even if we win,” Rea said.
“It has been since day one of pre-season, pretty much all laid bare.
“(Using) smokes and mirrors, we have tried to get it through there for a while but if it is not in you, it’s not in you, you are not going to find it under pressure.”
Rea said too many at the Brumbies, players and management, had taken too many easy options during the year.
“We have just too many people and an organisation that makes too many soft decisions too often and now they’re the bulk and the norm, it’s in the wood now,” he said.
“We have been covering them for a while.”
Asked if the side could lift for their last five matches of the Super season, Rea replied: “No, no chance.
“These blokes are not going to find something that is not there.”
Lions coach John Mitchell said his team had rebounded following their 53-19 loss to the Cheetahs last week.
The win was just the second from their past 26 Super Rugby matches.
“Considering the response to last week’s performance after the bye, I thought it was won on defence,” Mitchell said.
“We worked a lot harder on the inside.”
The Brumbies 2011 season reached new depths with the twice winners of the southern hemisphere’s provincial competition continuing to post unwanted records.
The loss was their ninth of the season and fourth at home, both records since the competition began in 1996.
Crowds have dwindled this season in Canberra following the performances of the Brumbies, with a 12-year low of 10,122 to watch ACT-raised Giteau’s 100th match.
The crowd was the lowest at Canberra Stadium since 4000 spectators watched the Brumbies beat the Northern Bulls 73-9 in March 1999.
Giteau scored 10 points through two conversions and two penalties.
The home side started the match on the front foot, with hooker Stephen Moore’s bullocking try to the right of the posts in the 10th minute, following several phases, after flanker Colby Faingaa made a 30-metre break.
Giteau converted and put the side a further three points ahead to 10-0 when Lions prop Patric Cilliers was sinbinned for dumping Brumbies scrumhalf Josh Valentine in the 18th minute.
Despite being a man down, the Lions began to keep the ball where several phases at the Brumbies line yielded a try for flanker Michael Rhodes.
Lions five-eighth Elton Jantjies converted to reduce the score to 10-7.
The visitors continued to keep possession and territory as the half progressed.
Six minutes before halftime, the Lions went 12-10 ahead, after several phases bashing at the Brumbies line, before three passes left created an overlap for winger Deon van Rensburg to score untouched.
With the break near, Brumbies prop Salesi Ma’afu left the field with a suspected broken right arm.
Ma’afu’s injury adds to the side’s narrowing of front row stocks, with prop Dan Palmer ruled out for the match with an injured foot.
The Brumbies head to Perth next week to play the Western Force.
Mark
Guest
The only truth to this is Rea and the other coaches have to go, or realise that it's not about a few who think they operate the "player power" it is about a group 30+ and the coach! Giteau has been average at best this year and AAC also, the sooner they are out of the picture the better. With Lealiifano, Toomua, Coleman,T. Smith,Fainifo, McCabe and A.Smith they have the nucleaus of a good young backline, just need a nine! In the Pack Fainga, Hooper, Palmer, Edmonds and Moore are the only real strength/potential there, possibly Kimlin if he can start fronting when things get tough. They need to move Alexander, Maafu, Chapman, Hand on urgently and find players that can compete. As for Rea and Giteau they need to have a good look in the mirror, last week the turning point or shift in momentum were all on the back of Giteau's mistakes. This week he played better. Last week Lealiifano was player of the day in another poor Brumbies display. He didn't come out and slam the players and coaches/management he simply said "I'd gladly take a win over a personal acheivement" Giteau and Rea were more upset the boys didn't play well in his hundreth. Get over yourselves you two,these two, Larkham and others wanted Friend out, reap what you sow. Hopefully Fagan will realise he has been fooled by Rea, Giteau, Larkham, Harrison and Melon and help sweep them away for the arrival of White and the baby Brumbies. The advantage of the softer Aussie conference next year will benefit them immensely and help speed up the rebirth.
Harry
Guest
Good point. See my comments on your excellent post on the Lord thread.
Ballboy
Guest
Harry - someone did say that two months ago - his name is Andy Friend. He told the players exactly what he thought of their attitude and commitment. That's when they ran to the CEO who consequently sacked him in the hope to lure their signatures for another season.
Jason
Roar Guru
The common factor is Stephen Larkham.
PeterK
Roar Guru
The Tahs have TWICE the backbone and toughness of the Brumbies. They are soft and their culture stinks. Lions well done. Well played, all you had to do was keep at them and they would fold. Nice to see Rea be honest about the players, administration and culture.
Harry
Guest
That was a great spray, but ... Why didn't he or someone else say this two months ago? Answer is they were all taking the money, Rae included. It has been glaringly obvious for years that the Brumbies are soft in the forwards and slow in the backs but the usual twaddle is trotted out week after week about being "slightly inaccurate", "need to have more precision in the 3rd phase", "playing group have it under control" etc etc.
Spencer
Guest
Tony Rea is leaving. He was overlooked for the job. Why would he care....a bit of brutal honesty might help. Maybe he wants to be fired now and paid out. Couldn't blame him. Brumbies...the new Lions/Cheetahs. Enjoy looking up the poephole of the Reds for very very long time.
Mr Grumpy
Guest
White is scheduled to visit Brumbyland this week. Three-quarters of his squad for next year are there. A huge problem for him is the number of senior players leaving - Gits, Two dads, Chapman and probably Rocky. He will have to lower expectations for fans of the Ponies as they will not qualify for the finals in 2012 or the year after. FTS - while I have not been a fan of Giteau, he has been one of the few performers for the team this year. The rot set in when the players told Friend at the end of 2010 that they did not respect his coaching. Management pushed him to be less hands on and brought in Larkham as attack coach. Has the Brumbies attack improved this year? AJ - Rea acknowledged where the Lions were better in one aspect. "Even we had chances to apply pressure and we could not deal with that. "We couldn't deal with their's. They were better than us in dealing with the emotional part of the game."
AJ
Guest
In all the Brumbies comments(that I have seen or heard) not one mention that they were beaten by a better team!Very similar to the Waratahs after the Cheetahs loss-total contempt for the opposition. how could we possibly lose to such a poor team,how bad are we,we just kept letting in etc Learn some humility from Schalk Burger's example.They were just double knee capped by a very contentious call and he just says "that stuff happens and well done to the Chiefs" So well done Lions-awesome defence and some excellent tries.
Patstick
Guest
Is it just me or do the Brumbies, and Waratahs, play the game like a game of rugby league - all one out stuff, and no thought process about how to crack a defence. Disappointing result and even more disappointing performance, Brumbies you have been officially diagnosed with Waratahitas. Only known cure is a complete clean out of players and management. All is not lost for Brumby supporters, the club was built from scratch not long ago to a Rugby power house, it can do it again. Unfortunately I can't say the same for my beloved Waratahs - Why did we get rid of McKenzie again?????????????
From the sideline
Guest
Giteau did not deserve a good 100th game farewell. He is already off to France. He ensured his contract was signed prior to Friend's departure and the Brumbies still made him captain. Poor choices RAE and coaching staff. You have better players playing club rugby then on the field. Favouring good 5 minute players over consistent players is the coaches choice. I bet the second string players (which is debatable if they are) are glad they were not part of this embarrasement. Can't blame them your choice of young guns and Larkham's praises of Giteau is laughable. Larkham and Harrison along with Rae have to take some of the blame. A win now is meaningless and Rae you are part of the failure.
mikeylives
Guest
Brumbies need a Rod McCall to clean them up. Those comments must hurt morale throughout the Brumbies. Giteau and AAC rats from a sinking ship? The Tahs should smash them. Good luck next year Jake.
Davo
Guest
Those comments sound like a highlight of the game. The Brumbies Tahs game in a few weeks could be one of the most intense and desperate or worst games of all time !!
Fatty
Guest
The truth often hurts!
johno
Guest
How's it that Giteau an coach trouble are never far apart?
Ben S
Roar Guru
Can't believe what Rea said. I've never seen the like. Not sure too many people in power will be happy with these comments.