Forget jostling for the underdog status, the “big game Brumbies” know the odds are stacked in their favour ahead of Friday’s Super Rugby quasi-final against the Western Force.
The equation is pretty simple for both Aussie sides heading into the last round of the competition.
Win and they progress to the finals, lose and they are almost surely bundled out of the competition.
It’s a scenario that would normally have both sides angling hard for the underdog tag.
But not the Brumbies.
Head coach Stephen Larkham knows his side has a lot of advantages heading into the derby, and he intends to make the most of them.
He admits the Brumbies’ deep run into last year’s Super Rugby finals should give them an edge over the Force – who have never played finals footy in their nine year history.
“We are a big game team. And this is certainly a big game,” Larkham said.
“We’ve had a couple of finals campaigns. We had a qualifying final here at home last year against the Cheetahs, then we went over and beat the Bulls.”
Then there’s the fact the match will be played in chilly Canberra.
“There’s certainly an advantage of playing at home, and there’s just a six day turnaround for the Force,” Larkham said.
The Brumbies on the other hand are coming off a bye week, the extra rest allowing Wallabies Matt Toomua (groin) and Sam Carter (ankle) to return to the starting line up.
Fellow Test players Pat McCabe (shoulder) and Joe Tomane (cheekbone) will also return, albeit off the bench behind fullback Jesse Mogg and winger Clyde Rathbone.
“The Force have a few guys out injured,” Larkham adds.
“Hugh McMeniman has been suspended as well, which makes a bit of a difference to their forward pack.
“So there’s a fair few things going in our favour.”
While the game could end up being the last for Rathbone, captain Ben Mowen, and director of rugby Laurie Fisher in Brumbies colours, Larkham insists the squad has avoided talk of that this week.
“We’re certainly not talking about this being the final game of the season, we are talking about this being the start of our finals campaign,” he said.
Chan Wee
Guest
Force: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Solomoni Rasolea, 12 Chris Tuatara-Morrison, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (capt), 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan. Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Oliver Hoskins, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Chris Alcock, 21 Alby Mathewson, 22 Luke Burton, 23 Dillyn Leyds/Sias Ebersohn.
Chan Wee
Guest
just wondering ; how many nil all draws have been there in recent past in super (lets say from super 12 onwards)? i would think it would be more difficult than in football ;)
Chan Wee
Guest
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Clyde Rathbone, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (c), 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Scott Fardy , 5 Leon Power, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Josh Mann- Rea 1 Scott Sio Replacements: 16 Ruaidhri Murphy, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 JP Smith, 19 Fotu Auelua, 20 Tom McVerry, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Joe Tomane, 23 Pat McCabe
Hertryk
Guest
Faith EG Faith! There's a few Sea of Blue making the trip! HB in Force strip for the last time "for awhile "...our guys have much to play for! C'ARN THE FORCE!
AndyS
Guest
No doubt the Blues will be very keen to minimise the chances of the other NZ teams, but their coach releasing players for end of season surgeries pretty clearly indicates how seriously he's taking their chances.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Well if the Blues get a BP win this should be the plan :)
Common Sense
Guest
Except the Blues and the Chiefs...
Jerry
Guest
It'd get them ahead of the Canes & Blues (if the Blues get a BP win) but would mean the Highlanders would only need a BP to get 4th spot even if they lose.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
A nil all draw works as well doesn't it?
Simon Bedard
Roar Pro
Hope the losing team gets a bonus point, and the Blues beat the Chiefs. Good outcome for all.
Simon Bedard
Roar Pro
Ditto
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yep - puts them both straight through. No fix in there,. If the Force score 4 tries and lose by more than 7, they move ahead of the Hurricanes (equal on points but more wins). So we'd have Tahs, Crusaders, Sharks, Brumbies. 5th Highlanders on 42. I think the Blues will beat the Chiefs. The Blues are in better form and a strong at home. A bonus point for either still leaves the Force ahead if they score 4 tries, because the Force have more wins. 6th Force 41, 7th-8th Blues/Chiefs on 40-41. The Blues winning could knock both the Blues and the Chiefs out. The Highlanders beating the Crusaders isn't that important to the Force, as both are already ahead. So if the Force score 4 tries, they're a great chance to ge through. And this result will be known before the Force run on. If they don't - then most likely the Hurricanes will nab that 6th spot because of their points differential. There's one big problem with all of this. How are the Force supposed to score 4 tries in Canberra? The Force aren't the most attacking team, and the Brumbies' defence is usually pretty tight. If they go into the game knowing a single bonus point will be enough, do they keep it tight and hope to stay close, or go for 4 tries? Sharks/Crusaders is a good tussle for 2nd. I'd like (as a Tahs fan) the Sharks to get 2nd (winner of that game would have to travel back to Sydney for a final, assuming we win our semi), but my money would be on the Crusaders. I see it as the Sharks playing the Force or Hurricanes in their semi. I think the semis will be like this Sharks v Force or Hurricanes. Winner plays Crusaders. Brumbies v Highlanders. Winner plays the Tahs.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Unfortunately I agree.
Bunratty
Guest
Are you suggesting an 'internal fixation"? What is that saying about (un)intended consequences? I have the feeling this might be a dour encounter with bonus points only coming from a tight loss.
Paul
Guest
I'd really like to see a high scoring draw from this one. 4 tries each!
Internal Fixation
Guest
Do you think Larkham and Foley are talking it up but really have staged a 4 try a piece draw so both qualify ;) (pending other results of course)
Sportym
Guest
A Brumbies fan and always will be , though have been supporting the force this year, what a gutsy effort!!!!. Hope the Brumbies win, but will be supporting the winner of this for the rest of the finals series.
Force aren't exactly in great form, so even with injuries I see the home team win.