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I was a little bit apprehensive about watching the Brumbies game this weekend.
I, like probably many others, expected that the Brumbies after their close win over the Bulls last week would rout the newcomers from Port Elizabeth.
It certainly appeared that my prediction wasn’t going to be too far from the mark when the Brumbies went up 13 – 0 after 17 minutes.
But, the Kings continued to stay in touch with some good kicking from flyhalf George Whitehead and impressive physical defence from Wimpie Van de Walt (who had a huge game) and running from Engelbrecht (you wonder how captain Luke Watson will be able to slot back into this team at this rate).
And in this simple way, strong defence, smart kicking and increased physicality (so reflective of the South Africa method) the Brumbies 2013 bubble was finally burst.
Robbie Deans, in attendance, would have surely noticed the following points from the game.
Nic White has great involvement, great kicking but his passing can be sometimes poor. A noted that a number of passes where either behind the receiver or left the receiver in vulnerable positions, on occasion he missed the target entirely.
Ben Mowen did himself no favours in rebutting the widely held view that he is not physically up to the task of matching the bigger SA packs. He did not have his best game and unfortunately for Mowen it happened to be the game where Fotu Auelua shone and the national coach was in attendance.
Auelua was more involved than I can remember ever seeing him, he was galvanised by the physicality of the encounter and his game seemed to go up a level because of it. He was very good.
Christian Lealifano cannot play for the Wallabies at 10 against the Lions.
He was incapable of executing the clearly enunciated plan of Jake White to turn the Kings around with tactical kicking (he only adopted this tactic once in the second half).
The absence of Matt Toomua was noticeable, the Brumbies lacked organisation and Jake White definitely missed a trick here trying to push CL’s selection chances and consequently underestimating the Kings.
Joseph Tomane was immense, he looked good every time he touched the ball, and he greatly increased his chances for Test selection. The return of McCabe was as many of us expected, direct.
Once again McCabe failed to pass the ball.
Generally the Brumbies attack was lacklustre to watch, it was one-out ball runners one or two defenders wide of the ruck, I though Auelua was used very ‘two dimensionally’ by the Brumbies.
Ben Alexander’s lack of discipline ultimately hurt the Brumbies, is this the second time this season Alexander has been similarly ill disciplined? This could be a potential liability in the cauldron/niggle of the Lions series.
So, the Brumbies bubble has burst, which is not to say that the Brumbies haven’t played some great rugby, but one half of rugby against the Stormers does not a great team make, must hold true. The Brumbies have a great opportunity to bounce back in what is shaping to be a mouth watering encounter with the Reds (who’s stock is definitely rising).
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.