Match Result
A physical contest in Canberra has seen the Waratahs prevail over the Brumbies in Canberra for just the third time in 20 years with a tough 13-10 victory.
The Brumbies took the advantage early through a try to Joe Tomane, before the Waratahs managed to hit back through Adam Ashley-Cooper. Both David Pocock and Michael Hooper thrived through the physicality of the contest and the low scoring contest reflects the defensive nature of the game.
One of the big talking points to come out of the game was the Brumbies option to not take the three points when they were available, there was another of chances they had but they were unable to make their possession and ultimately couldn’t crack the Waratahs’ defensive line for the crucial match winning points.
Match Preview
The biggest showdown in Super Rugby’s Australian Conference this year will almost decide the fates of both the ACT Brumbies and the NSW Waratahs when they clash at Canberra Stadium on Friday night. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:20pm (AEST).
A win in this game is especially important for the Brumbies if they want to retain their lead at the top of the Australian Conference, and having played one less game than Friday night’s opponents a loss could be devastating.
They would suddenly join a group of four or five teams fighting for the final two wildcard spots and would lose their home advantage, something that has been a strong factor for them over the last two seasons.
For the Waratahs a loss would take them a step behind in not only chasing the Australian Conference lead, but also leave them chasing that wildcard spot. For the Super Rugby champions it’s probably not how they envisioned their title defence going.
The Brumbies will promote Ben Alexander and Sam Carter back into the starting line-up. Carter comes back into the side after missing last week for personal reasons and is a big inclusion for the Canberra side.
The Brumbies were dominant at set pieces last week, and the Waratahs are going to need to figure out some way to stop the driving maul. David Pocock was the beneficiary of that set piece last week with the flanker getting a hat-trick in the first half.
A worrying sign for Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham, though, was how his side struggled to keep the pace in the second half. The Highlanders fought back bravely and nearly got a losing bonus point from an impossible position.
The Waratahs survived a scare against the Rebels last week, and will almost certainly have to take their game to the next level this week. It’s worth noting with some stronger goal kicking the game would have been a lot less tight, but they are all aspects of the game.
Bernard Foley is normally known for clutch goal kicking and I wouldn’t expect him to make those same mistakes this week. Israel Folau also had an unusually quiet game, he doesn’t normally do it twice in a row, and he dominated the Brumbies earlier this year.
The main battle in this game will be between David Pocock and Michael Hooper. Both have a point to prove and both want to be the Wallabies’ starting number seven. At the moment I’m scoring the fight in Pocock’s favour so expect a mammoth effort from Hooper tonight.
Prediction
A tight affair here, generally home advantage plays a big part in this rivalry with either side only ever winning two games on opposition soil. The Waratahs have won just two of 11 here in Canberra. Based on that I just have to pick the Brumbies by three points.
Join The Roar for all the live scores and commentary from 7.20pm (AEST).
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Yep Harry's Bar in Clarke Quay is a good choice but Qantas wouldn't change the schedule to allow me to watch!
kesmcc
Roar Pro
i'm all for it being a penalty if the player actually gets in the way or is making a nuisance of himself but he wasn't at all. phipps had no intention of trying to get the ball out to the backs. you can see it in the angle of the pass. the only thing he is thinking about is drilling it into the guy on the ground. if you want the wallabies or tahs to win like that then so be it but i'm not a fan at all.
Mike
Guest
We will have to differ on that - I think that any player who won't do "that rubbish" shouldn't be Australian scrum half. He has every right to claim a penalty when an opposing player is in that zone and if he doesn't take it then he is leaving points on the field, either 3 or a shot at 7. We can't afford to do that.
kesmcc
Roar Pro
he didn't even try to pass it over him. straight into his side. pathetic play imo
kesmcc
Roar Pro
Yeah i thought he had a game to forget. and he lost my respect with that terrible milk a penalty pass into the player trying to stay out of the way on the ground. there's no need for that rubbish.
housebrick
Guest
Does anyone know how to watch the roar videos on an iPad overseas?
Zero Gain
Guest
Hooper defenders = fanboy mentality. The celebration looked immature and was ugly.
bennalong
Guest
I was a big Leilo fan but he's been really inconsistent. Was great last night but he'll have to prove he can do it next week too!
RobC
Roar Guru
Error-strewn indeed Harry. Two tribes going to war. Total TO conceded 33. Stormers vs Bulls BIG BIFF last week: 34 TOC
RobC
Roar Guru
It was tongue in cheek ethan. JackDeb the player isnt a test 10, yet. JackDeb the kicker, is. The point is, our test kickers are ruinous.
ethan
Guest
Sure, Jack Deb can pick, but there is no way he is a better footballer than Foley, Lealifano, Cooper, Toomua, Giteau. Please lets not talk like he is a potential world cup savior.
RobC
Roar Guru
Yup. Thats the first one that Big Willy stopped, by ripping through the middle of the maul. Something Big Kev would do regularly in seasons past.
Zero Gain
Guest
I am a hard core Reds man, buddy, so I don't know what you mean, unless you are saying I am brilliant and always gets it right?
Mike
Guest
Goal shots are a problem. Wallabies selectors need to put a kicking coach on the plane or contact someone already in England. There will be several potential kickers in the squad - it could include Foley, JOC, CLL, Beale, others - and they should be put on regular supervised kicking practice as soon as the Super season ends.
Mike
Guest
Interesting to see the tactic where Tahs didn't contest one of the lineouts and just flooded the maul immediately after it was formed.
Rob G
Guest
It was clearly milked....however it is the refs call so i don't understand all the complaints directed at Phipps. If the ref didnt call it he would have looked like an absolute mug.
Rob G
Guest
I agree DMac. I thought the tahs were pretty terrible to be honest, and couldn't have complained if they lost. Also agree re Phipps, I am not sure i have ever seen worse service from a 9. Rarely did the first receiver not have to check their run to catch a pass above their head/behind them. Plenty of that was due to disruption of the ruck as you say
The Other Steve
Guest
Saw that, thought "Wallaby captain?"
RobC
Roar Guru
Yup. When Bernie was assist coach, he mentioned Lelo was a good 10. Toomua provided structure, whilst Lelo more creative. Whats missing from the Brums is a backline general. I think Lelo has the potential. but he's got nail his kicks.
RobC
Roar Guru
In 1H, both Brumbies and Tahs exposed the defensive loopholes: - Brumbies sometimes flood rucks, and leaving gaps in midfield. AAC strolls in after Brums were Cheik-balled - Tahs D is like their attack. They rush the middle, but vulnerable at the edge. Coleman pass to Smoking Joe was brilliant Likewise their 1H tries were based on their core strength: - Brumbies' big boy (Ita V) off their set piece (scrum) create the charge for the Tomane try - Tahs Cheik-ball with efficient, mobile and powerful collissions and rucking At oranges, coaches from both sides seemed to have showed them how to adjust. Net result it was a grinding defensive game: - Brumbies half was hardly breached, and efficiently disrupted Tahs Cheik-ball. Also disrupted the Tahs scrum - Tahs slowed and disrupted every set piece opportunity. But Brumbies LO calling was also v poor. Shocker.