A shocking result in the nation’s capital with the top-of-the-table Brumbies drawing with the Southern Kings 28-28.
After a less than impressive start to their Super Rugby career, the Southern Kings were considered an easy four points for the Brumbies.
Coming into the game, Adrian Strauss, the captain of the Kings emphasised their need for consistency, following a 46-30 loss to the Hurricanes last week.
After the first twenty minutes it seemed to be a walk in the park for the competition leaders with two quick tries to wingers Henry Speight and Joe Tomane.
Despite these early defensive lapses the Kings showed signs of resistance with a strong defensive structure often forcing the Brumbies behind the gain line.
Once again though, ill discipline proved the defining factor, where the Brumbies were regularly able to relieve pressure from the Kings’ simple mistakes.
After finally stringing some phases together, the Kings showed their potential, answering back with two tries to loose head prop Ferreira and flanker Van Der Walt.
From this point on the Kings were brutal in defence, with their young flanker, Wimpie Van Der Walt leading the charge with one big hit after another.
The Brumbies lacked any sort of punch in attack throughout the second half, illustrating how Australian teams often struggle when they face a big forward pack such as the Kings.
Two late penalties by Christian Leliafano put the Brumbies out by seven with just minutes to spare.
The Kings pushed after the full time siren with a series of penalties in the Brumbies’ twenty-two resulting in the try to tie the game.
Ben Mowen the Brumbies captain, after the game emphasised the disappointing result and put it down to a lack of focus.
“Our mind set wasn’t right from the start. We managed to get some early points but let them back into the contest.”
Mowen also praised the opposition saying, “It was a very spirited King’s outfit… They were able to play to their strengths, which was exactly what we didn’t do.”
Adrian Strauss also spoke after the game putting the Kings’ exceptional defence down to the character of the side and to keep working for their teammates.
Not many positives can be taken out of the Brumbies’ performance, however Wallabies prospects such as Joe Tomane, Dan Palmer and Ben Mowen all showed their potential.
Tomane again showed his powerful running, but also revealed his talents in distributing the ball and his stability under the high ball, which is something that has been lacking in Australian wingers of late.
Palmer’s scrummaging was again impressive against a large South African front row, giving promising signs for the upcoming Lions tour, where the Lions always provide a tough challenge up front.
Mowen put in another consistent performance as captain, really throwing a spanner into the works after being left out of the Wallabies’ squad last year.
Another wildcard this season returning from Japan has been ex-Wallaby George Smith.
He showed once again his resilience in the face of tough opposition, and regularly put his hand up to take a hit up or make a trademark low tackle.
His resurgence to Australian rugby gives further depth in the position at open side flanker with young prospects such as Liam Gill and Michael Hooper all pushing for the position in the wake of the injury to David Pocock.
The Brumbies coach Jake White commended the Kings on their solid defence but was concerned with the lack of energy and enthusiasm showed by the team.
Moving into a tough away game against the desperate Highlanders, White said that his players will have to respect the uncertainty in this competition.
“The players will learn that there is no formality in this competition and there are no givens, despite the talk off the field.”
The loss to the Brumbies moves the Chiefs into top spot on points differential and means the lead position in the Australian conference is far from cemented.
Brumbies 28 (J Tomane, H Speight tries; Lealiifano 5/5 pen, White 1/3 pen) tied Southern Kings (Du Preez 2, Ferreira, Van Der Walt tries; Whitehead 3/3 cons, Catrakilis 1/1 cons)
Soapit
Guest
I think white saw the opportunity to throw him in and try the different combo against supposedly weaker opposition. Doubt well see that 10 , 12 combo again for a while.
Soapit
Guest
Peter k, when was the last time you saw a match winning performance from a hooker in any game
Sage
Guest
Morning Chivas my friend. I admit I am late to this thread and as there has been more than enough commentary on Stephen Moore (journeyman), mostly from you at great length which I also admit I do enjoy, I can't help but notice when you say "I have explained myself in numerous posts and don’t care to continue with this" or "So thanks but I’ll leave it there now" or "It was a point of view and this has run off into a discussion which serves little point and I’m tired of explaining it." But then when go on in your not caring to continue, leaving it there now, tired of explaining way, to write another 1,000 odd words or so I think it's funny. Or ironic, or denialist but mostly funny but in a good way. And you bite so so well but no animosity from me Chivas. I enjoy your posts and the inordinate trouble you go. Cheers to you too
Chivas
Guest
Another valued late contribution. Cheers Sage :-)
Post
Guest
Brums were pretty woeful. Without Mogg's huge boot keeping the opposing teams buried in their own halves they aren't keeping as much pressure on the other team. That said, the Kings were lucky not to be carded in the first half. They continually and purposefully flopped all over the ball to slow it down, so the Brumbies were never able to increase the pace of the game.
Sage
Guest
For someone who didn't wish to continue and is tired of it you must have gulped a couple of short blacks in the interim. I don't think he put words in your mouth, apart from there being no room to do so. ;)
The Bush
Roar Guru
I hope the Brumbies do pick themselves up after this. It is just unfortunate because the Super competition is notorious for being one in which you cannot afford to drop easy points. The Reds did it against the Force and now the Brumbies have done of against the Kings. Not that I expected either team to win the competition, but those two games are examples of why they won't. No offence was intended by his conversation and I appreciate that you've provided an explanation. If that is indeed how you have heard the term used before, then clearly this was a conversation about semantics; I am just awfully confident about the correct meaning of journeyman and that has obviously resulted in the use of Moore as an example leading to this debate. As I said, no offence was intended, with respect to the Brumbies, we basically agree!
That's your opinion, I disagree
Wii
Guest
Hey Brett I would like to see this moderation practised fairly across the board, Royce certainly was trolling however some of the more regular contributors are also themselves just as guilty of immature, sarcastic and at times abusive posting
Wii
Guest
I will say it again I don't believe you can, well certainly not a competitive team
Chivas
Guest
Just for the record, it may be well established in your circles, but not in all and it's also ridiculous to put words in my mouth, like Jiggles saying I said Moore is crap or that I said he wouldn't make any other international side. If you think he is a top drawer player who has an infield impact that us your opinion in much the same way Jiggs thinks he's the best in the SH. My interpretation of someone who is not a journeyman is someone who can leave their mark on the game. I stated that early I'm the piece, but the conversation has dragged on. So Australian teams are great and above criticism. The teams have strike power right across the field and Moore is a giant. For me he's not and is just a player who does the basics well without being a standout in anything. Some people differentiate a journeyman as a plodder compared to someone who makes a real impact. And that is the opinion of many too. So tomato tomatoe... it's semantics but if it makes a difference you can be right. It wasn't Moore I was writing about anymore than it was Palu. The reason I want to see the Brumbies do well is exactly for that reason. They aren't star players, but playing together like they are they may well become a star team. I think this week is a blip and they have the tenacity to pick themselves up and put the Highlanders under the knife. And that will be a huge win if they pull it off. Southern pride isn't lightly dismissed and even though they aren't playing well together they have some quality players. And to me that also shows how a team that clicks together can beat a team of names. For me the Brumbies season continues. They have character and losing a few just makes the wins taste better.
Johnno
Guest
lol jez , was being silly. But really i just can't believe the brumbies effort, there forwards were slow, they lacked a plan B, frustrating . The Highlanders next week in NZ will be another tricky game I think now for the brumbies, stuffing up my footy tips.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I dunno of he'd be in a world 15, but I'd have him in the top 5 or 6 right now.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Chivas I agree that the Brumbies aren't a star filled team. But your definition of journeyman is wrong - to clarify for the future, it's well established that a journeyman is a player who goes from club to club, unable to hold down a startig position for too long. So yes plenty of professional players are journeymen, but any solid long term international player is hardly going to be considered a journeyman by anyone.
Chivas
Guest
Really... state school? Make stuff up much!
Chivas
Guest
He must be better than that Bush, because if you agree with Jiggs, he has him in the world 15!
Chivas
Guest
There is no obsession with Palu. If you bother to read, I used both him and Moore as examples of what the difference is between a player who makes an impact and one who doesn't. But in recent comments one is held up in godlike status and the other is derided. They play in different positions and Moore is beyond discussion for continuing for the Wallabies. Consequently I thought it reasonable to use it to explain without getting into a debate about whether he deserves to be in the Wallabies. He is quite capable of contributing to the team. Palu has been injured and the reason I used him is because he is a player who makes an impact on the international stage. They were examples not obsessions.... Anyway it matters little. It was a point of view and this has run off into a discussion which serves little point and I'm tired of explaining it.
Chivas
Guest
Which ones... So all players are professionals so none of them are journeymen. Fine... how about players that aren't the point of difference in the big games they play in internationally. Players without impact on the international stage. Does that make it less silly? On the other hand it is my opinion and maybe Australian players are not just hard grafters like Moore but masterful players who make an impact in the big games they play in. I apologise if my use of the word has caused confusion for you, but as I explained; that interpretation is not only mine. And the point was not about a word or to cause offence to Brumby fans, but to suggest that the Brumbies are more of a star team than a team of stars. But it's gone off course and should be parked.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Biltongbek, Not comparing Moore to Chilliboy, rather pointing out that to suggest Moore would never have got a Test for any other major nation is ridiculous when a hooker like Chilliboy has for a test for RSA.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Chivas why the obsession with Palu? Is this the Palu who is barely on the park and when he is he is usually missing for most of a game? Palu might be on more highlight reels than Moore, perhaps that is because world class hookers are judged on getting the small things right - like throwing straight everytime, which you dismissed as a nothing. As Jiggles sets out above, in agreement with me, someone who is always picked for a top 3 team in the world over a period of half a decade (and still going), is so far above journeyman status it should be up for debate.