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On the strength of yesterday’s performance against the Cheetahs, the Brumbies are beginning to show the essential ingredients of a successful Super Rugby team.
The men from the ACT boast a talented squad of young and unproven players who are fit and will play from whistle to bell.
Jake White is a very successful, senior coach who specialises in managing the player cohort into a strong unit with a common purpose.
They play in a suitably sized stadium that allows their supporter group to cheer them on – they seem to have no prejudiced expectations and will happily try to lift their team with barracking when things look ugly.
The Baby Brumbies are not there yet. They are a long way from being the real deal – but the first steps have been taken and the signs are beginning to show on the field.
Yesterday, after the three hour journey from Sydney, I walked for four minutes out of the bush-like car park into to my seat at Canberra Stadium. What a joy.
The blazing sunshine, the verdant green playing surface, the sea of Brumbies supporters in their gold caps and I was immediately excited at the prospect of running rugby. The ACTON bus drivers next to me provided knowledgeable and humorous commentary.
In the ninth minute, the rapidly improving Nic White sliced through the defence for a 40 metre gain. The Brumbies stayed calm, belying their lack of experience, and a few phases later, Henry Speight crashed over in the corner.
At just 22 years old, he is exactly what the wiley old coyote and namesake, Jake White needs. Nic White is an old style, full cream half back who gets a team going with crisp flat and accurate passes and acceleration that leaves forwards grasping at thin air.
White continued to initiate the Brumbies attack, either with beautiful passes or sniping runs. He made 53 metres in his 30 minute cameo and more than most other players made in their full 80 minutes.
The Brumbies pilot light almost when out when White left the field in the 30th minute. Understudy Ian Prior eventually got up to tempo and served up some fast, accurate service to his ball runners. Interestingly, he did not make one run in the 50 minutes he was on the field.
Other than the period from the 39th minute to the 50th minute, where the Cheetahs scored 13 unanswered points, the Brumbies were switched on and played the sort of competent 15 man rugby that was wearing the Cheetahs out.
The return of Crawford, Coleman and McCabe to the team and their previous good form will only improve the reliability and speed of the team in attack.
Matt Toomua is on the way to being a class act and fulfilling his undoubted potential. He looks a lot fitter than in previous seasons and it shows in his on field confidence and skill levels.
His Ella-like quick hands to put Pat McCabe in for a wonderful try in the corner was simple but sublime. It started the revival in the 53rd minute.
Yesterday, Christian Lealiifano, playing at 12 and just 25 years old, gave the Brumbies a genuine third play maker. Like Toomua, he could be is a class act. His cool goal kicking would reward the pressure that the Cheetahs had been under, particularly at scrum time, for the final 30 minutes of the game.
Andrew Smith, now 27 years old, but with only 16 Super Rugby caps, had an excellent game. He took over the straight running role to great effect. He too looks leaner.
Stephen Moore and Ben Alexander led the babes around very well with the telling plays that you need of your most experienced players. Moore made 12 runs for 37 metres, Mowen (8 for 28), Speight (10 for 59) and Fardy (9 for 35 in just 29 minutes).
Jesse Mogg, at just 23 years old, and with only four Super Rugby caps, excelled at fullback and took the ball back from kicks with brains and bravery.
We can only take Jake White at his word. The latest news is that he seems to have cleverly traded the poisoned chalice that is coaching the England Rugby team for the commitment and loyalty of a talented bunch of fresh youngsters in Canberra who want and can play great rugby.
The Cheetahs ran the ball well. The only blight on the game was the aptly named Cheetahs extending the letter of the law as far as they could.
Frequently, they went to ground with feigned injuries and loosely laced boots when the Brumbies scrum was giving them a lesson and threatening to earn a penalty try.
Afternoon rugby is wonderful when the weather is conducive to running rugby and the players deliver. I thoroughly enjoyed the game and believe that the Baby Brumbies are on the way up to former heights.
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.