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.
gatesy
Roar Guru
LAS, how can we be sure you're not a Waratahs plant, trying to lull us into a false sense of security? Great article, mate - I couldn't get out to the game, but your article was evocative and I could smell the grass and the pies and the beer, and the beautiful Canberra afternoon, that it was. Those are the days when Canberra Stadium and the crowd are at their absolute best - it's just what running rugby needs!
Bakkies
Guest
I wouldn't underestimate the Cheetahs. They are probably the biggest underachievers in Super Rugby. Strong Currie Cup performers who play attacking rugby at home (with a solid forward platform) but go in to their shell on the road and dish up a lot of rubbish (which was enough to beat the Waratahs). They have got quiet a few scalps and have touched up the Brumbies and Crusaders at home a few times. Badly miss their talisman Juan Smith and Rassie Erasmus who led them to Currie Cup wins. A lot of their talent is starring for other teams (F Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, du Plessis brothers, Meyer Bosman, etc) and have one of the best rugby schools in the world feeding in to their system (Grey Bloemfontein).
Bakkies
Guest
Friend may have been a good bloke but he was an average coach. The skill levels were terrible under his watch, it was little wonder Ben Alexander was the leading try scorer. Taking upon himself to score the tries rather than let the backs waste chance after chance. There is little sentiment in pro sport. The timing of his sacking wasn't great but losing to an awful Rebels side after a lacklustre pre season was the tip of the iceberg. He was going to go at some point. Reaching rock bottom may end up working for the Brumbies long term as the broom has been put through the team. Mowen will be a good captain he appreciates living in Canberra which will go down well with the supporters and sponsors (unlike Elsom who sat in Sydney playing his guitar). He has already brought a house in the ACT. Fagan and Friend aside all the rumours about Elsom, Giteau (depending on your sources about whether he was or not) and AAC being a disruptive influence around the team was plain unhealthy. Tony Rea's spray after the Lions disgrace in front of the local press was the breaking point. We all had an idea of who he was referring to that weren't pulling their weight (and went out the door at season's end). Something must have happened with Fainifo in house as he spent half of the season playing park rugby in Sydney
Bakkies
Guest
Get over it will you. You can't keep on being bitter about last season. Half of last year's wasters are gone, the new players don't deserve your lack of support. I would go to the games if I was living in Australia
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
harry, toomua had a few injuries along the way and several older players in the path like gits and lilifano to name a few.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
they are young, dont really get it yet and seems that they are fit, very fit. I am not sledging them jsut saying that callow youth often just dont get the pressure in the early years of their career until they mature a bit
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
capital, a back line of white, toomua, lilifano??, smith with mogg and and speight on the wing and crawford at 15. I like that back line coupled to a pack that can get parity at the breakdown and Faingaa and Hooper can help here. they will only get better 'cause they are babes now.
capital
Guest
All of the above LAS, but they held their nerve. Do I think they will make the finals - probably not, but it is an encouraging start after last year. And I guess reward for a long pre season.
capital
Guest
Understand and wish them well LAS
capital
Guest
Bakkies Grow up - your opinion may count in your universe, but it has no bearing on decisions I make. Regardless of your opinion, which I do not share - I will decide who I support and when I attend matches. And the players, happy to see them play well, good to see Jake with a different attitude. But after wasting my money last year watching a C grade team of egos with a D grade Board, happy to watch Foxtel and see matches at my leisure. Sure am grateful for your opinion though, it warms my heart to know that you are at the matches.
The Link
Guest
Oh I see, your point was a team that got 11k for a game would kill to get 12k for a game. And lets not get the fact the Raiders played in torrential rain get in the way of a good yarn!! Brumbies crowd wasn't bad, but no need to get carried away.
Baldy from Manly
Guest
Highlanders v Waratahs......NZ Referee Brumbies v Cheetahs .......NZ Referee The difference is the NEUTRAL Referee can make decisions until and including the 80th minute. A home town referee; and it is only natural would not be game to give a penalty to a visiting team unless obvious to all at the ground. I'm not saying the Highlanders were not the better side BUT all games in Super Rugby should be refereed by a Neutral referee.
Brett McKay
Expert
Good stuff Leftie, sorry I didin't see it yesterday. Thought the Brumbies good a massive boost from their bench, with all the guys coming on making an impact of some sort. Hooper and Fardy were excellent, no question. I am a little surprised to see comments about Ian Prior though, I thought he played quite well, and most importantly for 9, his pass was generally pretty good. I agree with you on the whole though, good signs from the young Brumbies. And if you're in town again Leftie, best we share this post-game analysis over a beer!!
Ballboy
Guest
I don't think that's fair Loyal. I know a lot of 'fans' who, like me, love their rugby and loved the Brumbies but were treated with absolute disdain from Fagan and the board last year. When he sacked Friend he said the decision was his and he'd take responsibility for it at the end of the season. I am yet to see him offer any apology to the fans for the rabble that was under his control last year. I don't want to harp on because it's a new season but that doesn't mean those who are still bitter about what happened shouldn't be heard.
Ballboy
Guest
I can't quite believe the hype about the Brumbies at the moment. Two unimpressive wins against two sides that will be vying for the wooden spoon. If they were real contenders they would have put the Cheetahs away by 30 points on Saturday. there's not enough fire power there for this year but they are in a development stage.. Good to see White staying though. At least there's some stability there. However, I'm still smarting (like capital) from the way I as a member was treated last year. I know, I know. get over it. I'm trying as i know a lot of others are. But, judging by the amount of empty seats I saw at the ground on a beautiful Autumn afternoon in Canberra (does it get any better than that) I feel there are quite a few members out there that still want to see the back of the CEO.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Great article LAS. We were there with our regulars as we are each home game, and I have to say that even though it was the Cheetahs, the atmosphere in our section as they finally started to grind back the 13 point deficit was better than anything I have experienced at CS for a couple of years. We will most likely get a touch up against the Chiefs next week, but as long as we play with that ticker and put in for 80 mins I don't really care, they will be doing us proud. That pack is going to embarrass a couple of the more fancied teams at various stages this season.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
According to reports that I have seen, Jake White was interviewed twice for the RFU position, and the Brumbies have confirmed that he told the board that he had been approached. Don't let the facts get in the way of your story.
Loyal
Guest
Capital typifies a sad trend we see in Canberra. Fickle fans and snipers from the sidelines. Whatever happened to supporting and encouraging your teams thru the ups and the downs?
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
johnny boy, i agree. he was a very good choice and an even better choice if he has no distractions from elsewhere. frankly, i dont understand why he would want the england job.................
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Well, capital, if you spend your readies on wallabies games it will be at the soulless ANZ stadium and you might be missing a resurgent Brumbies. Please note, one game doesnt make a revival.............................but it is a good sign.