The Brumbies are through to the Super Rugby finals in 2014 after defeating the Western Force 47-25 in Canberra.
FINAL SCORE:
Brumbies 47
Force 25
The Brumbies and the Western Force – two Australian teams battling for that one spot in the playoff race.
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Right now the Brumbies are clinging to sixth spot with 40 points. The Force, with the thrilling season they have had, are just within reach of them, also on 40 points and holding down seventh. What, is separating them at the moment is the ugly points differential. In that department the Brumbies are in the green with +12 and the Force sit in the negative with -28.
If the Force can nab the win and a bonus point in the process they will, for the time being leap frog the Brumbies and will just have to hope a few results fall into their favour.
It would be a shame if they missed a chance at making an appearance in the post-season. Their performances across the season as a whole has been some of the most impressive, and has highlighted just how even the competition has been.
Sometimes they’ve been looked upon as the forgotten team of the west. Well they have certainly turned things around in 2014, making fans and critics alike stand up and take notice.
The Brumbies are the old heads in this two-horse race. They’ve been in the playoffs, they’ve won championships. They know exactly what it takes. Yet statistically speaking it hasn’t been one of their most brilliant seasons, and they are still within a shot of returning to the finals. While they do not have the same attacking prowess of some of the other teams, they earn victories by doing the hard yards. The are strong up the middle, and they dig deep. Every now and again a little flash of brilliance comes to the fore.
In their last three matches the Brumbies have racked up big margins in their victories against the Bulls and Rebels, only to have the tables turned on them by the Waratahs. In all three games bonus point tries were included.
Meanwhile, the Force’s last three games haven’t looked too great. Two weeks in a row the Crusaders and Blues left them in the dust with romping victories, before they came back last week to get a 10-point victory over the Reds.
This game will hinge on which team can hold the most possession. Brumbies can create turnovers but have struggled to convert it into pressure. The Force, on the other hand, are like a stingy cat – they don’t want to share what possession they get and hang onto the ball for a good portion of the game. If the defence on both sides can go up a few notes and the sides are willing to take points on offer the game will go down to the wire.
Tip: Brumbies.
Rotuma Island
Guest
it depends, if its falling from the moon then it'll be on fire before he catches it.......lol, on a serious point he caught all the restarts kicked towards him.
Harry Jones
Guest
Looks like a powerful man. Is he good under the high ball? I mean, a really high ball...
Harry
Guest
Mid September.
Harry Jones
Guest
This Speight fellow. When can he play for OZ? Looks like a handful for our Habana
Sportym
Guest
Well done force !!!! Proud of the guys this year!!! The force fans should be really proud of thier effort. And the Brumbies, go you good things!! Hoping you get another crack at the tahs!!!
Jerry
Guest
I reckon it's a safe assumption the Canes aren't getting any points tomorrow.... Damn it.
Harry
Guest
X2. All the best to Nick Cummins and congratulations on a great career at the Force. From a purely rugby viewpoint though he was comprehensively outplayed by Speight tonight. And with Tomane back we have some depth emerging in the wings.
Harry
Guest
Correct. See comment below.
Harry
Guest
Making the big assumption that the Canes get no points tomorrow ...
Jerry
Guest
Even if they'd got 2 more competition points, the Highlanders would have been able to push them out of the 6 with a bonus point.
Chooks
Guest
Congratulations to the Brumbies. Hope they can go on to make amends from last season. As for the Force. You guys never gave up - so proud! Never been happier as a force member. Great news for australian rugby this season :)
DJW
Guest
Congrats to the Brumbies, far to good tonight Speight owned the Badger. Disappointing last result as a Force fan. Foley limited game plan has finally been worked out. Even with a extra man we still kicked it away. Our kicking just turns over possession totally uncontested. Still a good season. Toomua my MOM
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Well said EP, Brumbies go into semi's with some confidence. Well done to the Force on their best ever season.
Harry
Guest
Force just missed bonus points for 4 tries both this week and last week and that will cost them a maiden finals appearance.
soapit
Guest
i think they just missed that 5% of class in the end. there were sniffs of tries towards the end but always somehow let the chances slip/
Rugby stu
Guest
There's no rugby fairytales anymore really sad to see the force go
soapit
Guest
haha no worries, it must have left you fairly puzzled at the start
RobC
Roar Guru
Great season, Force. STANDING OVATION Force. Game was lost in the first 30 minutes - Sons of Eber and Mathew brought on too late - Kept out of the game, up front - Scored a nice set of tries though. Brumbies. Implemented a good game plan - Exploited the soft areas outside the ruck, and mid-field defence - BA / scrum penalised many times, giving Force possession and momentum. Once rectified, Brumbies were on their way - Leaked quite a few tries, albeit when they were ahead
soapit
Guest
60 point match is ok in my book
:D