The Brumbies have put together three consecutive Super Rugby losses for the first time since 2011, but coach Stephen Larkham insists minor tweaks are the tonic to reverse their fortunes.
Sunday’s 18-12 loss to the Blues in Canberra was a familiar tale for the Brumbies, the fifth time this season they have been defeated by six points or less.
Their third loss on the trot hasn’t stopped them leading the Australian conference but the 3-6 record which has them there speaks volumes about the performances of their local rivals.
With the Waratahs edging closer to them after beating the Reds on Saturday night, the Brumbies mettle will be tested after their break when they host the high-flying Lions before back-to-back trips to Souths African and Argentina.
The ACT-based franchise are in the midst of their worst run since Larkham took the top job, but there’s no signs of panic from the typically calm coach.
“You’ve got to make sure the little things are right,” Larkham said.
“That’s your breakdown, your clearance. I think our clearance in the first half wasn’t where it needed to be, our kicks were probably off the money.
“And then second half it was probably was more our executions from set-piece.”
Despite giving up 56 points against the Highlanders and being outscored by three tries to one in the loss to the Blues, Larkham is sticking with the Brumbies’ new focus on multi-phase attack.
“Nothing’s going to change there,” Larkham said.
“We have to make sure we pick and choose when we want to attack and where we want to attack from.
“I think that was a much better balanced game tonight than it was against the Hurricanes.”
Co-captain Sam Carter admits losing so many games by a converted try or less is frustrating.
“The execution and composure at times needs to be better,” Carter said.
“Certain moments in those games go different ways and we win all five of those games.
“That’s something we’re learning and something we need to be better at.”
darkhorse
Guest
Agree. I knew all this would happen when they appointed him. No more coaching jobs for the boys (Gregan, Giteau) in the future please. Brumbies need a strong coach from outside the club who can send players on their way if need be, no matter how many caps they have, or how many years they been at the club. When you appoint a coach from inside the club, then he's a mate with players and will not make the hard decisions. That is what Jake White did when he arrived with obvious good results. ATM there's some dead wood and some players are not SR standard. They need to show form or go. Tahs also a good example of this disease.
Old Bugger
Guest
Flark, I think you're right......either that or, he's being, out-foxed.
Old Bugger
Guest
It seems Fionn, that the coach doesn't have a similar open-minded perspective, as you do.....and that, is the default because as a player, Larks played a great game of chess always putting himself a couple of plays ahead, of where play was actually happening. He has closed his mind methinks.....
Rhys Bosley
Guest
"Is Hawera the best No 10 we can get?" Yes and that is the problem. The Brumbies aren't going to beat NZ teams with a bloke who couldn't make one steering.
stainlesssteve
Guest
he's foxing?
Quin
Guest
They only need to step up for one game and playing a final at home does provide some motivation and it can be all that is needed for a bit more spark. I don't agree that any team should be guaranteed a home final for this reason unless they actually deserve it on season points log.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Larkham, the most overrated coach in Aust. If the attack coach of the Wallabies can't get the Brumbies to work. how will he do it against harder test opposition?
Hugo
Guest
If Aust rugby had even a shred of self-respect and decency it would withdraw its compulsory finals spot and toss it up to the next highest qualifying wildcard. For an Australian side to host a finals game is ridiculous. Of course you could turn it around... win some games and deserve a spot. Let's see what the "Australian Way" that I've heard so much about recently, really entails.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Concerning stats from Canberra Times: The Brumbies have now lost three games in a row for the first time since 2011. It was the first time since 2012 the Brumbies had failed to score a try in a regular season game. It was the first time the Blues had kept the Brumbies' try-less since 2007. Their 10-point lead in the Australian conference has now evaporated to just five points, and could be cut further because they've got the bye this week. The Brumbies haven't beaten a New Zealand side since round one last year. That's nine defeats in a row against Kiwi teams. To add to that, Australian teams have lost the first 15 trans-Tasman matches this year and have won just three of the past 41 games against Kiwi sides. The Brumbies will have two weeks to stew on their mid-season slump.
Markus
Guest
Having been at the game, my concern is that I didn't see an area in which the Brumbies could have confidently backed themselves. Blues won the scrums, consistently stopped them getting across the advantage line in attack and were generally kicking better. Brumbies were solid on their own lineouts but the ensuing plays (rolling maul or quickly running off the back) were largely shut down. Getting into good field position and hoping for a kickable penalty to be awarded legitimately seemed the only way they were going to win.
stainlesssteve
Guest
The Brumbies should have backed themselves, as the Blues did, to kick for the corner or elect to scrum. At least they would probably have cost the Blues their bonus point, and not gone home having been kept tryless. They might even have won. Woe, woe. You can't blame the coach. The captain has to be courageous, if it means risking humiliation on-field, and the ire of the coach later. Nothing ventured, nothing gained
puff
Guest
For 80 minutes I waited for the Brumbies to start playing attacking exciting rugby not tweak their game. For any team, home matches provide a numerical advantage that needs to be exploited. But you are never going to be successful in mathematical increments of three against a team who are on a mission. To be fair, the Blues were far from efficient and were very wasteful with ball in hand. Considering they controlled most elements of the match for sustained periods. The Blues were resourceful up front but their 9/10 combination all season does not appear to deliver the kind of direct quick decision making, their style of game requires. All other NZ teams are so organized around the base of the scrum. In my opinion the Blues have a formidable back division who are often poorly utilized. The Brumbies continually taunt their supporters, on song they deliver special moments, but such moments are becoming fewer and further apart.
Fionn
Guest
So the Tahs are going to win a quarterfinal are they? The team that lost to the Brumbies and to the Kings at home? None of the Aussie teams are likely to get into the semis, regardless of who tops the conference.
Fionn
Guest
Hawera looks more like a 12 than a 10 to me. He usually looks to run the ball himself, not to create holes in the defence and/or put other runners through them. He's a good player, but not a great 10 (especially without a ball-playing 12 inside of him). I would prefer Toua starting at 10 than 15, at least that way we wouldn't have to suffer so many of his terrible clearance kicks, and Toua can be electric in his passing and running.
Jock Cornet
Guest
The tahs will walk in to the semis .
Charles Plowdog
Guest
Larkham may not be panicking but, as a Brumbies supporter, I am. They didn't look like scoring a try and missed so many tackles: the Blues ran at will through the Brumbies defence. Is Hawera the best No 10 we can get? Yet he starts every week and makes so many mistakes. And when we needed a converted try in the last 60 seconds Larkham sent on a replacement back, who made the final pass. Unbelievable. I just don't believe Larkham has the coaching experience to be a successful SR coach, yet which is demonstrated by the results. We can't even blame the loss on the ref.
Jacko
Guest
No need to panic!!!! lets just practice more rolling mauls. And a couple of "Minor tweaks"....And of course we just need to better select when to attack.....If he thinks we believe it then he is silly but if HE believes it then he is deluded. And he is the next Aus coach in waiting eh.
Mark
Guest
Well he bloody well should be They lost to the Blues LOST TO THE BLUES
Jeffrey
Guest
Is there a bigger sore loser in world rugby than Larkham? Cheika perhaps.
Jumbo
Guest
This guy is crazy.