Ex-Queensland hooker Stephen Moore says the Reds’ set piece could be an area for the Brumbies to exploit when the seemingly mismatched Super Rugby sides line-up in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Reds top the ladder and are going from strength to strength following a 17-16 win against the seven-time champion Crusaders on Sunday.
In contrast, the Brumbies sit third last with two wins from 13 games, one point from the bottom, in a year the twice champions would like to forget.
But Moore, who spent 2003-08 at the Reds, saw some opportunities amidst the gloom.
“Aside from the set piece, they really played well out of it,” Moore said of the Reds’ pack against the Crusaders.
While scoring two tries to one, the Reds spent much off the final 15 minutes defending in their own quarter, the Crusaders pushing the home side’s scrum around and poaching a number of line out throws throughout the match.
“They got out of a few situations there really well, which is something they have done well all year.
“That’s an area we thought we improved on last week, our set piece, and hopefully we can do that again on Saturday,” Moore said.
The Brumbies have won their past five matches in Brisbane, but lost to the Reds for the first time in Canberra in March.
Moore said a recent spray from coach Tony Rea has lifted the workrate and intensity of the side,
Rea said his men lacked fight following a home loss to then bottom-placed Lions three rounds ago.
“I thought the last two weeks, in particular, the group has been a lot tougher,” Moore said.
“And we have fought a lot harder to stay in the games.
“If we can do that again, we are a very good chance.”
Fullback Pat McCabe said the blast has had an affect but their inability to score from opportunities kept hampering their chances.
“For a few weeks, he (Rea) has not been able to question our effort or our intensity,” McCabe said.
“It is just that execution which we are still lacking.”
formeropenside
Guest
Don't know; I think perhaps Hynes but after missing the whole season its kind of academic. Apparently Davies will be back for the finals series though.
Harry
Guest
Same bench as well I presume? Coridas has gone pretty well for GPS this year. Fancy that - picking the player in best form from the club comp to step up and be given a chance in the state team. Good to see. Any idea if Hynes or Harris will be back this year?
formeropenside
Guest
Reds team is unchanged save Coridas out of the Academy comes in for Robinson. 33rd player for the Reds to have used. Gill not considered for selection this week due to jet lag and late return.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
Would you have expected anything else? The Brumbies were only ever a signature so he is elible for the Wallabies. 1 game this year, how many last year? Bugger all. He doesn't train with the team, adds no leadership at the Brumbies (i would also say the Wallabies), good luck to the province that picks up his sallary.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
By the way I see Rocky "expects to be fit for Australia's opening rugby Test of 2011". http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/elsom-eyes-return-for-samoa-test-20110531-1fe1i.html He says he's "still injured, so I won't be playing for the rest of this season" but reckons he can waltz back into the Wallabies side without playing a single (full) game all season?
Who Needs Melon
Guest
I haven't seen him pj but I think that's what White and the Brumbies need to do. Out with the old and in with new, young, keen guys who bring no baggage and just want to listen, learn, play their roles and get stuck in. A couple of old heads around would be good (e.g. Moore) but we can see with guys like Genia and Pocock, you don't need to be old to be a leader.
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
Exactly! Anyone that has go forward, vision, leadership, basically the qualities missing in this years team :-). Though as i said i look the cut of that new bloke Cam Crawford's jib. Plus if he plays like his father Dave Carter, Sam might add some needed starch in the backrow.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
While we're at it pj, I guess the Brumbies wouldn't mind a Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Joe Roff, Owen Finegan, Andrew Walker or Stirling Mortlock about now either. :) But then again, who wouldn't eh?
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
I thought the Brumbies played with a lot of heart last Saturday. I agree with Capital that I thought Moore lead them well and made some better decisions. We have to remember that the Stormers are No3 on the table, and i thought the Brumbies actually had opportunity to win the game. If a couple of passes had stuck it might have been a different result. I think the lack of penetration in the centres has been there for a while, the new young guy the Brumbies have signed or even Pat McCabe could be the answer to that. As for around the rucks, one George Smith is clearly being missed, even though Colby and Hoops have done well, the Brumbies just lack maturity in the back row. Additionally we miss a Jim Williams, i.e. someone that scavanges those 1 or 2 metres around the ruck area, thus giving the team momentum.
Capital
Guest
-- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Capital
Guest
It will be tough for the Brumbies to contest the Reds. Across the park they ate stronger and playing with a lot of confidence. Liked Moore as Captain last week and hope he keeps the guernsey, it is good to see him lead by example. Not confident unless we can find a player who can break the line. We are lacking the punch in close to the ruck; and in the Centres. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Yes it could be a tough game and the Reds should be on their guard, I would suppose that they would be a little jaded after the win against the crusaders and that could be a problem for them. If I was Link I would be running a couple of reserves on a bit earlier in this game.
formeropenside
Guest
Yeah, this is a tough game for the Reds actually: the Brumbies are a traditional bogy side and have a reasonable set piece (although the scrum depends whether or not Alexander is allowed to put his hand on the ground or not). Reds lineout has to lift: the throws that were missed last week cannot be repeated, for all that the perfectly timed throw over the back to a rampaging Horwill led to a try. On paper this looks like a great opportunity to lift the Reds for and against; in practice the Reds can't afford to lose to a fired-up Brumbies outfit.