Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham says it’ll take several months to get rid of the bitter taste left by a controversial decision that ended their dream of a Super Rugby title in 2016.
But departing skipper Stephen Moore is confident they will find success in years to come.
The Canberra-based franchise were knocked out of the playoffs with a 15-9 quarter-final defeat to New Zealand’s reigning champions, the Highlanders, at a wet GIO Stadium on Friday night.
It leaves Australia without a team in the semi-finals for the first time since 2012.
But it was a no-try ruling in the 75th minute that hurt Larkham and his men the most.
Flying bench winger Lausii Taliauli appeared to crash over the line but was denied by the television match official, whose view of the ball was obstructed.
Taliauli insisted he grounded it and Larkham said it was a clear – and potentially match-winning – try.
Larkham said they deserved to win the match and should be in the semi-finals instead of the Highlanders.
“It’s incredibly bitter and it’s not going to change until we hit Super Rugby next year,” he said.
“This was the last game of the season and there’s nothing you can do about it now.
“You can’t turn up next week and say we’ll put this one behind us.”
It’s the fourth year in a row the Brumbies have fallen before the championship post, having bowed out in the semi-finals in 2015 and 2014 and lost the title decider to the Chiefs in 2013.
Asked how he rated the Australian conference winner’s season, Larkham said “it’s not a success, clearly”.
Whether they can bounce back and have another crack at the trophy next year remains to be seen, with a host of stars leaving the nation’s capital.
Wallabies captain Moore is returning to the Queensland Reds, Matt Toomua heads to English club Leicester, Joe Tomane is off to France and David Pocock is taking a year-long sabbatical.
Larkham said Moore, in particular, will be missed.
“He’s he most passionate leader I’ve been lucky enough to be able to either play or coach with,” he said.
“He’s constantly looking at trying to make this the best program in the world and that’s the legacy that he will leave for this organisation.”
But Moore believes the Brumbies have the foundations to be successful in years to come.
“I’ve played in teams here that have been star-studded and haven’t achieved what we wanted to. And the opposite – a couple of years ago we didn’t really have your so-called big name players and we did probably better than anyone expected,” he said.
“It all comes down to the quality of the program and the culture and I’m confident that there’s players who will be here who will be able to carry that forward and make it a better place.”
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
True Jerome, as I felt his sportsmanship was pathetic. It was no try without doubt. Like to even say they were the better team, defies all logic, as did not the Landers, score two tries to zip? The line outs, conclusively, showed the Landers were the better in that department, but possibly the Brumbies did have the edge in the set pieces, as in the scrum. What the Landers had to put up with the other night, was not an appreciative crowd, who boooed all night. Not a good look Larkham, especially from a Wallaby assistant coach. Discipline in these circumstances, does need to be put in place.
Vic rugby
Guest
Does the asterix point out the fact the brumbies were lucky to be there and just blew it?
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Could not agree more. In fact, it's comments like these that make me wish the Roar had comment ratings. Your comment is nevertheless at the top of the page where it deserves to be, sir. Good on you.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Whooooooooooshhhhhhhh
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Cheika is happy to blame the ref and demonstrate a poor understanding of the laws of rugby, so this is merely expected behaviour from a member of the Oz coaching staff.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
What rubbish. I'm a Tahs fan so no bias but the Brumbies weren't ripped off. My view of the "try" was that you couldn't see the ball grounded so it couldn't be awarded. The Brumbies have appeared to be a one dimensional side all season against the better teams and against a strong pack, their tactics don't always work. Like SA in previous seasons, we got a team in solely because the rules said we had to have one. What annoyed me most over all the games this weekend was that there wasn't a neutral ref to be seen.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Cry into a bucket of hops n barley let it mash, brew em up and call it Brumbies Bitter. Then drown away your sorrows.
superba
Guest
Maybe Larkham can put the issue beyond doubt and upload the frame which shows the ball being grounded.
Jerome
Guest
Larkham maintains "we were the best team" and "we should have won." What planet is he on? The HL dominated every facet of the match except the scrum.
Lara
Guest
Need somebody to come last....is that the logic.
MH01
Guest
Everyone knows a try cannot be scored if there is no camera angle of it.......guy could have slid half way into the in zone and cause no camera angle saw the ball on the grass, as try not awarded. It's turning into league with TMO decisions these days, go back to the benefit of the doubt....and if there is clear reason that a try cannot be awarded.
Danny
Guest
Doubt it'll take the grizzled Bernie 2 months to get over this when it seemed it only took a few days to move on from the Pommy whitewash. He should try whinging about Eddie that'd at least be sport.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
You're preaching to the choir here, mate. The thing that really gets my grit up is that there isn't a 6th Australian team.
chucked
Guest
OT..forums and news reports pretty much 95% agree that ref got it dead right...not a 50/50 call..dead right. There was no proof a try was scored and almost certainly the ball was lost ball could not be seen one hand in front one under is stomach Worst show of bad sportsmanship from both Moore and Larkham that I've personally seen for ages
Die hard
Roar Rookie
We don't expect them to be great statesmen but it would serve better to keep those emotions close and within the team. Most concerning was the belief that they were succeeding with the style they use. If this translates to the Wallabies they will get bogged down even further. Better to be frank and look to change and admit weaknesses and get with the times.
ebop
Guest
Larkham is delusional Shame really, always respected the guy as a player but he's losing credits fast
Jacko
Guest
Yes Brumbies ripped off, Tahs ripped off Rebels ripped off Reds RIP force RIP. It should definately have been 5 Aus teams in the finals with all 4 games played in Aus and all Aus teams given a 20 point start.....I meant a 40 point start (20 not enough lol)
jonnyacidseed
Roar Rookie
Im with you TM, point the finger at yourself Larkam and move on.
Lara
Guest
It is hard to comment on such logic.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Can't say I blame Larkham. The Brumbies were stellar all season and deserved to finish top of the ultra-competitive Australian conference. The 2016 title has an asterisk next to it as far as I'm concerned.