The Brumbies don’t have any entries yet in their Super Rugby win column, but it’s their exits that are causing them concern.
The Canberra-based franchise have come up just short in their first two games.
They lost 17-13 to the Crusaders in the opening round in Christchurch and were beaten 27-22 at home by the Sharks, who scored a try after the final hooter.
“We’ve got to be better, that’s the massive message this week,” promising Brumbies halfback Joe Powell said on Tuesday.
“The most disappointing thing last weekend would have been our exits.
“We got stuck in our 22 for a long period of time and just (gave away) silly penalties as well.
“Giving them easy outs from there and easy points as well.”
The Brumbies are down in fourth in the Australian conference and face surprise early log leader the Western Force in Canberra on Friday.
“It’s massive for us we get a win this weekend,” Powell said.
Powell has impressed Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and it’s not been easy for the 22-year-old Canberran to ignore the flattering remarks.
“I have to see everything because my mum gives it to me,” Powell quipped.
“I suppose I just try and ignore that. I’ve just got to do what I can in the team.
“I suppose there is that added pressure, but I ignore it as much as I can because I have a job to do here first and foremost.
Powell has formed a new halves combination with New Zealand-born five-eighth Wharenui Hawera.
The 23-year-old kiwi Super Rugby novice has benefited from sage advice from Wallabies playmaker, Christian Lealiifano, who who is acting as a mentor to his Brumbies teammates after having a successful bone marrow transplant to treat leukaemia.
“Whenever I have any trouble I can always ask him. He’s always there to help me,” Hawera said.
“He’s out on the field giving me advice whenever I need it, so it’s been awesome.”
The Battered Slav
Guest
The recent commentary? Primarily from you? You speak with a more confidence about the matter than somebody who has as much idea as everyone else should. Do you know something we don't? Or do you simply dislike the brumbies and enjoy deathriding them? I suspect the latter.
ScottD
Guest
It's anyones game I reckon The Brumbies are better than their 0-2 start suggests and the Force need to show some consistency by playing more than 40 mins of error free rugby I'm looking forward to this game I might have to come home from work early to watch it ?
mc
Guest
Do not let teams get in the 22 from henry speights wing would be a start
Republican
Guest
.......Bernie already knows the verdict of the Super bankers I reckon.
Republican
Guest
........that too but the politics is definitely influencing the teams psyche. How do you maintain any ticker when you know you are the first preference to be culled from the comp and that goes for supporters as well. It will be very interesting to see what the gate looks like at Bruce this weekend.
Paul
Guest
And despite that loss of experience, Larkham has also dropped an uninjured Fardy from the 23 for the Force game. For "tactical reasons".
Markus
Guest
Hard to say it is down to a fear of their existence, looking pressured and poor decision making is inevitable in a team which has lost 5 of their best and most experienced players in one season (Pocock, Toomua, Lealiifano, Moore, Tomane) and with another 3 senior players still unavailable (Cubelli, Sio, Fainga'a).
Republican
Guest
The Brumbies are feeling excessive pressure to justify their existence, effecting their performance. This will result in another defeat at the hands of the Force this weekend because I don't believe they are under the same pressure, given recent commentary on which team is to be axed. The Brumbies do not lack effort, spirit or determination but probably due to anxiety, some poor decision making at crucial times in their game plan, has cost them.
Republican
Guest
The Brumbies are feeling excessive pressure to justify their existence, effecting their performance. This will result in another defeat at the hands of the Force this weekend because i dont believe they are under the same pressure given recent commentary on which team is to be axed. The Brumbies do not lack effort, spirit or determination but probably due to anxiety, some poor decision making at crucial times in their game plan, has cost them.