The Brumbies’ last-round form and poor record against New Zealand teams will have no bearing on their ability to win this year’s Super Rugby championship, according to coach Stephen Larkham.
The Canberra-based franchise claimed the Australian conference title on Saturday night with a 24-10 win over the last-placed Western Force at GIO Stadium.
The victory knocked the NSW Waratahs out of the race and booked a quarter-final berth against reigning champions the Highlanders in the nation’s capital on Friday.
But it was an uninspiring display that ended with a scoreless second-half and a disappointed coach.
Asked whether the two-try performance was enough win the title, Larkham said it was irrelevant.
“You have your ups and downs in the tournament, and certainly the second half was a half that we’re not particularly happy with, but it’s all irrelevant now,” Larkham said.
“It’s about putting it behind you and taking the things you can take out of it and move onto the next job.”
The Brumbies have only once in five occasions beaten a New Zealand outfit this season – the 2015 grand finalists, the Hurricanes, back in round one.
One of the losses was to the Highlanders, 23-10, in the wet at Invercargill in April.
Their record is reflective of Australia’s overall statistics against the Kiwis – who have four of their five sides in the playoffs – in 2016, with only three wins from 25 games.
“We’ve had our troubles with New Zealand teams,” Larkham conceded.
“But we’ll make sure that our preparation, like every week, is as good as it can be so that, one, we learn from those mistakes and two, give ourselves the best opportunity to play well.”
Superstar Wallabies flanker David Pocock is on track to return from a fractured eye socket, which has sidelined him for almost six weeks.
Larkham will wait until he gets cleared by the club doctor before making a call on his selection.
“There’s a time period from the initial injury that we’ve had to wait for, so depending on what that is we will make the decision internally and then let you know on Wednesday,” he said.
Jack
Guest
Agree with that. Its pass and catch where Oz teams are really behind the Kiwis. The skill levels by the Blues vs Brumbies were something to see. Which hurts to say being from Canberra. The Brumbies only missed 3 or 4 tackles in the first half and were torn to pieces by wonderfull passing. Our passing is woeful across all Australian teams; rarely in front of the players, often too high and too hard. Hard to fathom given Larkham had the best passing game I've ever seen. Do Australian teams have a pass and catch coach or a counter attack coach? I assume the Kiwi teams do.
Paul
Guest
Not the say the article is inaccurate, but he's gilding the lily a bit talking about Dave Dennis and co when referring to first choice wallabies. Nor does he mention that out of that 32, there is a significant portion who are returning, or actively looking for a way back. I believe quality of coaching is a far more pressing issue than player drain.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Compare to this article CP. http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11675987
Akari
Roar Rookie
The Brumbies had won the game before kick-off as confirmed during the 1st half. The Brumbies backs were just trying to slow the game down by forcing the Force players to run further to defend. In the end, Godwin was forced to stand closer to the B's backs so he didn't have to run more than a metre in defence. He nearly scored a try with this new tactic.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
A worthy contender for the Inaugural Winner of Most Disappointing Coach of the Year Award...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You're just the type of flog that has to be contrary, aren't you. Some people are commenting on that. As I said, some people are getting caught up. Therefore everybody else (i.e. excluding me) is not talking about that. Because some people are.
puff
Guest
Sam, great question, forward a reasonable sized cheque and we can both smile or cry together.
Chivas
Guest
Totally agree. The rate at which Australia is bleeding players is completely unsustainable, especially when you add in other competing factors like AFL and NRL. If Rugby union was the national sport of Australia, I don't think this would be such an issue, but then the world order may also be different... So it is a bit like saying if my Aubty was my Uncle...
Cynical Play
Roar Rookie
Oz cannot bleed players like they are and keep the standards up, either in SR or WB level. FACT. The coaches can only use the cattle they have and Oz rugby depth is in a CRISIS. The Tahs will be a shadow next year. The only team building is the Reds. Nicolas Bishop's most recent article layers it all out clearly.
Kane
Guest
The sad thing is, is that they beat the top 4 Australian teams and drew with the 5th.
Chivas
Guest
So what Larkham says or doesn't say is pretty irrelevant. What is interesting as A.O points out is whether there is any truth in the idea that the past is the past and the Brumbies are in with a chance, especially considering the way the other teams are playing coming into this part of the season.
Chivas
Guest
And nor do I think the world needs AB's or any other specific team. That wasn't a shot at Audsie rugby as I think they have and do contribute as much as any team in the world including the AB's in terms of special moments in sport and entertainment and I think will continue to do so. The number of football playing athletes Australia produces is pretty phenomenal... just that it is spread across too many codes to dominate everyone in each one of them.
Chivas
Guest
Atlas, not sure that would pick up many Australisn fans. But maybe it would be interesting to identify those that outperformed or held their own in terms of what was expected and the issues they had to face I think in that vein, the Reds have been ok. While they took some punishment towards the end of the season, early on and mid way, I felt they threatened. The Force tried and ultimately failed. The Tahs were relevant, but don't seem to have the power or game to get over any of the top teams. The Brimbies seem to have retreated into some pretty retro-grade footy. And that leaves the Rebels, who for the Rebels haven't had s bad year. So in essence, many of the teams seem to have the basic building blocks, but continuing to bleed players like Gill... it is just really tough. While I am not a believer that the world needs Australisn rugby to be strong, they have been strong for a long time and I expect they will remain so. They just need to transition through this tough period.
Faith
Guest
Yes, Boz I agree. As long as the Landers don't become over-confident they should be fine. And yes, it is true that nothing matters come the playoffs - it is whole new different ball game. Cubelli especially is very dangerous. Pocock will be very pumped up. I think the Brumbie's problem over the last few weeks seems to be a lack of urgency - refusal to front up especially against the Blues. If they bring some zip and excitement to their game the Landers will have to be at their best ...
atlas
Guest
Was there a presentation for the trophy for winning the Australian conference? I read that the Lions were awarded theirs after their Super Rugby match against the Southern Kings at Emirates Airline Park. What about the other conferences? does it just arrive in the post?
samalavich
Roar Rookie
so how much are you putting on the brums puff??
Chivas
Guest
I don't think it matters what he says... Like we need to smarten up pdq or there is nothing to worry about, we are where we want to be, or we are f...d and going to get pumped next week and that will be season done... Because they will get pumped and may as well not turn up, because they have failed to do so for the last few weeks...
Chivas
Guest
Probably the first time a bottom placed team has beaten the two top Australian teams...
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
You seem to be the only one caught up on what Larkham said and why he said it. Everyone else seems to be talking about if its true or if its not and what chances they actually do have.
Lara
Guest
Brumbies at home are no pushover, but they will need to up their game to be a chance, any dumb kicks will be punished, any dumb penalties in their half will be kicked and their scrum must dominate or their main attacking platform is gone.