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Brian Smith has never won a rugby league premiership in 27 years of coaching, but he may well be the key to the Brumbies winning the Super Rugby.
The 59-year-old is the Brumbies defence coach, and last night at Suncorp in a sea of red supporters the men from Canberra turned in one of the greatest defensive performances seen for yonks in a 19-all draw.
The Reds-Brumbies top of the table clash was rightfully previewed as a blockbuster, but it was the Brumbies busting the Reds’ attacking power base that included keeping Will Genia, Quade Cooper, and Liam Gill quiet.
Smith-inspired quiet.
There’s no feeling of accomplishment in a draw.
But in this case where the Reds scored three tries to one, and three disallowed, had 20 minutes with a Brumby in the bin, and attacked non-stop for seven minutes late in the game with the white line only a sniff away – the draw was an accomplishment for the Brumbies.
Huge.
And just as huge the 38,404 Suncorp crowd, what a magnificent turnout. NSW Rugby take note.
Sitting in the stand was Wallaby coach Robbie Deans. In front of him so many putting their hands up for selection against the Lions.
The Reds – Greg Holmes, James Hanson, James Slipper, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane, and Ben Tapuai.
The Brumbies – Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Dan Palmer, George Smith, Ben Mowen, Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, and Jesse Mogg,
Most of those named have been there, done that. But in 2013, they have lifted their games.
And that’s what we want to see against the Lions – gifted Wallabies playing to their potential, and not hamstrung by any negative, safety-first, rugby.
There’s no better sight than Ioane in full flight. Last night he managed to escape the Brumby defences a couple of times that had the fans on their feet, The same can for said for wing partner Rod Davies, two speed merchants who should be constantly fed quick ball.
The Brumbies have a couple of wingers as well with Tomane and Henry Speight, both match-winners who are just as likely to suffer frost-bite waiting for the ball.
This weekend has proved that given the coach’s nod, Australian rugby isn’t far away from the great days when the ball-in-hand did most of the talking, and not the foot.
The much-maligned Waratahs turned the corner on Friday night by playing some scintillating rugby for the best part of 60 minutes. Beating the Chiefs was no small ask,
Even the Force showed some flair at times in their 22-16 loss to the Hurricanes.
It’s an instinct that has been lost in the telling with Australian rugby. They have always preferred to run, than chase.
Now if Robbie Deans can unleash the Wallaby backs to run, rather than chase, that brings a whole new equation into the Lions series.
The jury is out, but itching to come in with a verdict.