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Winning ugly last night didn’t upset new Brumbies coach Jake White, nor new skipper Ben Mowen. The Brumbies outlasted the Western Force 19-17 in the opening Super Rugby round at Canberra Stadium but there was nothing from either side to rave over.
Rant over would be more accurate. But what the hell, both sides badly needed a win to kick-start the tournament, and it was the Brumbies that got away with it.
But they won’t win too many more games unless they can find a goal-kicker in a hurry. Nic White landed his first three shots at goal, and promptly missed his next very-gettable five. Matt Toomua slammed into the left-hand upright with his only attempt.
There’s no doubt World Cup-winning coach White will work wonders with this young and inexperienced franchise. There were six Super Rugby debutants in last night’s 22-strong squad, while 14 of the 32-man roster are on debut.
Their heads aren’t cluttered by the agonies of last season with just four wins as against 11 losses and a draw, or the player-power sacking of coach Andy Friend. Both of which were distasteful to dedicated Brumby fans.
There’s a fresh approach in the nation’s capital, and there couldn’t be a better bloke to build on that than Jake White.
Mowen’s definitely the right selection as skipper. He was tireless last night, leading from the front. He has often praised Phil Waugh for the way he’s led the Waratahs over the years, and there was a fair bit of non-stop Waugh rugby in Mowen’s performance.
And he’s an integral member of a massive Brumbies back-row with Peter Kimlin, and Ita Vaea totalling 336 kilos, and standing 580 centimetres.
If White can keep them well away from the medical staff and the physios, they will be the cornerstone to a very competitive pack.
And out the back Jesse Mogg, Robbie Coleman, Henry Speight, and Christian Lealiifano have enough toe to trouble any opposition.
As for the Force, led for the first time by champion open-side flanker David Pocock, the next Wallaby captain, they kept up their unwanted record of losing every opening round since they entered the tournament in 2006.
Pocock, as expected, was dynamic. So too prop Pek Cowan with an 80-minute performance, and ageless Nathan Sharpe except for some surprise handling errors.
It’s safe to say the Force is light on with genuine talent. The halves combination of Brett Sheehan and James Stannard was a bit pedestrian, jolting the backline.
But there’s plenty of pace out wide if the flying Fijian Napolioni Nalaga at 191cm (6ft 3) and 106 kgs and Nick Cummins can get the ball quicker. Both must be more involved. And there’s still Wallaby Cameron Shepherd to return from injury
So there was little real rugby on offer last night. Only the closeness of the contest held interest.
Hopefully tonight’s potential blockbuster between NSW and Queensland at ANZ Stadium will provide the entertainment.