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.
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;
– 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.
Chivas
Guest
Why would you respond, unless of course something I said hit a nerve. Have you another exciting installment for the women's weekly section coming soon.
Parisien
Guest
Sorry, this is off the topic, but when did Australians start saying "well played sir". I'm not familiar with the expression. Don't we usually say "well played mate", or "good one", or words to that effect? Is the "sir" an English or private school influence? This is a serious question as I've noticed several roarers saying it lately and I'm intrigued.
Parisien
Guest
Thanks Brett for this. Gee, I'd forgotten what Aussie accents sound like. After a stuttery beginning, some very interesting points and good reminders. I loved "there' always space on a footy field, you just gotta find it." Ideally I'd love a transcript as well as the sound was poor in places and its quicker and easier to read and the reader can focus on what questions or answers interest him, but I know thats a lot of work.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
LMAO - great work
winston
Roar Rookie
It won't be the worst. But it could well be a dull affair. Especially after all this build up. Lets hope not.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Red Kev "Yeah that back corner try highlighted Genia’s absence for me – he wouldn’t have left that space – it was very good work by the Brumbies to notice it and exploit it. If they can topple the Reds at Suncorp with Horwill and Genia back then even hardened Reds men like me will be forced to acknowledge th e Refs were terrible and favored the Brumbies." ^ Fixed that for ya Kev. ;)
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Hasn't he moved on from the Bulldogs this year though?
Cliff
Guest
But...that magnificent hair!
Tatah
Guest
Haha! Nice one OJ. Well played sir.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Love your work Brett. It's fantastic to hear some candid answers to questions that delve deeper than the ordinary and banal. For a real rugby fan this is what you want to listen to. I greatly enjoyed it. The only things I would mention to improve would be the volume, as has been brought up previously, and the slight muddiness of the sound brought about when two of you are speaking at once. Once again, love the initiative, and it's fantastic to hear some rugby discussed by two folks who really know what they're on about and can express it. Great stuff.
rl
Guest
mate, from what I hear, Scott is a workaholic (not hard to do when it is something you love) and he is probably doing a fair bit of video analysis as part of his job, and in an ongoing effort to improve himself and his team, be it on upcoming opponents, or simply looking at what S15 or International teams are doing. So likely no biggie for him to take it one step further and put it up on GAGR for all to enjoy (prob doesn't hurt his employment prospects either).
Jiggles
Roar Guru
He has shown a bit of gas last year in brief displays and this year he has turned and covered well behind the line, particularly in goal. He hasn't hasn't shown much in attack this year, but neither have any of the wingers or outside backs at the Reds. Davies is the fastest in the squad and apparently EPS flanker Nigel Ah Wong is the second fastest. I rate this guy highly, but he is pretty young.
Justin2
Guest
I look forward to seeing the serious gas then, he must be mighty deceptive... its the first time I have heard anyone mention his electric pace actually.
Brett McKay
Expert
Droll, OJ, very droll. Every few years, some good stuff does come out of the Australian conference.. ;-)
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Nice stuff, Brett, even if I couldn't understand the pronunciation of words like lineout, set piece, game or people ;) Longer podcasts would be great.
Brett McKay
Expert
Thanks Simon..
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Actually on 2nd thoughts, maybe 6-8 or even 10 minutes is ok in "normal" circumstances, but if you happened to land a big fish, or a person or topic of such interest, that much longer is warranted, then obviously we'd want to hear the whole thing.
Brett McKay
Expert
Ha, so when I present an interview piece that's text only, Allanthus, you'll know why ;-)
Brett McKay
Expert
Nick, something like that could be done quite easily via Twitter, actually, but yeah, that's not a bad idea either..
The Battered Slav
Guest
+1