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Reds vs Brumbies preview and chat with Laurie Fisher

18th April, 2013
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Quade Cooper could do things that few players could do - which made it more frustrating when he did things that few players couldn't. AAP Image/Lukas Coch
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18th April, 2013
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The Brumbies head up to Brisbane today, to ready themselves for what will be their biggest game of the season to date: the Queensland Reds in Brisbane tomorrow night.

It’s not only the biggest game of the year for the respective sides, though – it’s by far the match of the Australian Conference in 2013.

One vs two in the conference. The top two teams in the competition as it currently sits.

I was lucky enough to spend some time earlier this week with Brumbies’ forwards coach Laurie Fisher, and during our chat I knew that his thoughts were going to make for a great preview piece for this match.

Anyone that’s heard Fisher speak at any length knows that he provides great insight into the intricacies of the game they play in heaven.

However, as I later listened back to the chat, I realised that it was too good to keep to myself, and furthermore, there was no way I’d do Fisher’s explanations justice in a simple Q and A text format.

Therefore Roarers, you’re in for a bit of a treat today.

With thanks to the editors for agreeing to try something new, today I’m going to let Laurie Fisher do the talking himself.

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Click the ‘play’ button above, and you’ll hear my chat with Laurie as we cover off the following important little details within this match, including:

– The relative lineout strengths of both sides: Brumbies captain Ben Mowen currently leads Super Rugby with 32 lineout wins for the season, but the Reds’ Rob Simmons and Ed O’Donoghue have taken that same number between them. Last weekend, both sides had two jumpers win seven lineouts between them, while for the season, Simmons and Mowen both sit in the top five lineout stealers in the competition;

– What winning this important match means for either team, but why it’s also ‘just another game’;

– The defensive strengths of the Reds;

– The success both sides are having with the rolling maul inside the opposition 22, and the obvious threat this creates for either side. Includes a sneaky little dig at the refs, too;

– The Brumbies improved tackle effectiveness against the Highlanders, compared to the previous week against the Kings. We also touch on the Brumbies having four players in the top 25 ‘missed tackles’ list for the competition, but why a single stat sometimes doesn’t tell the whole story;

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– Brian Smith’s impact on the Brumbies’ defence in 2013;

– Why defensive line speed has to be earned, and isn’t just as simple as getting up on the attackers quickly;

– Why shutting down Quade Cooper is central to plans, but it’s not the only Reds attacking threat the Brumbies need to counter, and

– The motivations driving the Brumbies in this match.

It was great to be able to get Laurie Fisher’s thoughts and insights, and to share them in this format. I’m confident there’s much to discuss ahead of the biggest match of the year.

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