The Brumbies were expected to cruise against the Sunwolves, but the game was a lot closer than expected. Here are five things we learned.
1. Sunwolves better than last year?
It cannot be understated that the Brumbies came very close to losing this match. They were behind at the end of the first half, and only took the lead courtesy of a horrific pass by the Sunwolves that crashed into the uprights, allowing the Brumbies to score a try that they had no right to score.
Some will point out that the Brumbies did not react to the Sunwolves line speed and lacked urgency at the breakdown.
Both of these criticisms are true, but that does not change the fact that the Sunwolves had very good line speed, were accurate and skilled at the breakdown, were solid in the set piece and displaced very good linking skills.
Australian teams that travel to Japan, bring your a-game, and do not underestimate them.
2. Heartbreak for Valetini, but Brumbies’ back-row depth outstanding
When Rob Valetini went off injured I felt horrible for the kid. He had up until then been very impressive and I believe would have added a lot, especially in defence, had he played more of the match. At the time of writing this I have had no confirmation about how long he is out for.
However, one thing Valetini’s injury showed was that the Brumbies have fantastic back-row depth.
The Brumbies’ first choice back-row is likely to be 6. Valetini, 7. David Pocock, 8. Isi Naisarani.
When Valetini went off injured the Brumbies were playing their fourth and fifth choice back-rowers Tom Cusack and Lachlan McCaffrey. Both Cusack and especially McCaffrey were two of the Brumbies’ better players in the win. Lolo Fakaosilea will likely come onto the bench if Valetini and Pocock are injured.
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It is fantastic to be at the point where the Brumbies have sufficient depth in the back-row that they can still consider it an area of strength when multiple injuries occur, despite the massive loss of criminally underrated Scott Fardy.
3. Speight will have to improve to hold his spot
Henry Speight has proven that he is a class player at Super Rugby level, but against the Sunwolves he did not display it.
He had some very poor moments in defence and also struggled to make an impact in attack.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
In the last couple of years Speight would have been able to hold his spot almost regardless of form. Since Joe Tomane was injured the Brumbies have really lacked any world class wingers.
This year, however, it is different. Chance Peni is his current wing partner, but the Brumbies have plenty of other capable outside back players.
James Dargaville was the Brumbies’ best attacking threat in the quarter-final against the Hurricanes. He made serious metres with almost every run until he went off with a head knock.
Andy Muirhead impressed in some of his matches on tour in 2017. He has pace, a good boot and can also play fullback.
James Verity-Amm took his chances with the Western Force in 2017 and was signed by the Brumbies in 2018. He has good skills, power through contact and the ability to run in both space and in heavier traffic – meaning he can cover wing and centre.
All of these three players will continually push both Peni and Speight for a starting spot in 2018. It is a good thing that we have some solid backup players to keep the current starters honest, as well as provide injury cover.
4. Promise of more attack – but does it mean anything?
All through the off season the Brumbies and new Brumbies coach Dan McKellar have been talking about how the Brumbies will focus much more on attacking flair in addition to the set piece and defence that have made the Brumbies so strong in previous seasons. This new attacking flair was sadly often lacking against the Sunwolves.
Too often the Brumbies’ attack strategy seemed to be: give the ball to Naisarani, hope that he breaks the line and can get away an offload. If not, recycle and set up for the same attack a few phases later.
There were a few moments of more inspired counterattacking flair than Brumbies fans have been accustomed to since Jake White’s stint, but I will wait for a couple of 80-minute attacking performances in a row before I accept all the talk of a more attacking team.
Still, it is early season, and I suspect the attack will only improve from here on in.
5. Battle for halfback spot heats up
Brett McKay has already written about how he thought Joe Powell would be in for a tough contest with Matt Lucas for the starting halfback position.
If anything, the first match of the season only increased the pressure on Powell.
While Powell had a solid game, both box kicking and distributing accurately, he often failed to spark the Brumbies’ attack in the face of the line speed of the Sunwolves.
As soon as Lucas came on the Brumbies’ attack changed. The pace of the attack improved and it felt like the ball was being passed both faster and more consistently out in front of the player.
Some of the Brumbies’ best moments on attack came once Lucas got onto the field (although this could have been due to the tiring defence).
While Lucas probably did not do enough to win the starting jersey as Powell really did have a strong game, it looks like either player is capable of making the nine jersey his own, which is great news for the team.
Fionn
Guest
Agreed, Brett. Intriguing indeed :)
Brett McKay
Expert
Nice one Fionn - the scrumhalf conundrum is going to be a really interesting one for the Brumbies. I agree with you, I also thought Powell had a really strong game, and got better himself as the Brumbies got into the game properly. But then Lucas comes on and plays every bit as well, and certainly gave the attack a proper spark. So the question becomes one of when is the best time to use them - might the Brumbies get more out of Lucas finishing games, for eg, and bringing him on when they want to up the pace? I don't know the answer, but it's an intriguing scenario that's already building...
Fionn
Guest
James, I'm not suggesting he's anywhere near Wallaby selection based on what he's displayed. I think he has the capacity to be a fine SR 12 though. He has good pass though, he has a left boot and his tackle success ratio last year was between 94-96% from memory.
Celtic334
Guest
Brumbies tight 5 was a little too placid in contact, Sio's inclusion will greatly improve this. Naisarani is class, could be a game changer for the Wallabies at 6 or 8. Backs were a little bit too structured and one thing thats been evident the past few years from Aus teams is they are far to rigid against the rush defense, playing through the motions of the chosen structure instead of playing whats infront of them. But at the end of the day, a win is a win. Good start to the year
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
Currently playing in Japanese domestic comp. Previously played for Bulls and Cheetahs. Has been selected in a SA squad but never capped. Pretty useful sort of player.
jameswm
Guest
Again, I don;t see it with Godwin. He does not appear to be any sort of natural distributor. He is not a brutal defender like TK, he's not overly quick, he doesn't dominate contact like Kerevi. At 12 I'd have him behind Kerevi, Beale, Hodge, Toomua and maybe others.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Fair appraisal Fionn... many thanks. For mine it wasn't so much about your Donkeys, but more so about the obvious improvement of the Aussie Moondogs. So the positive here was, as you state, anyone playing them in Japan needs to take note of this game, otherwise it could be messy for any of the visiting teams. And, frankly, how good is that!?! :)
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
The 6th thing I learned Fionn, is how welcoming and fanatical the Sunwolves fans were. Those of us who traveled over were treated to a great experience, both at the game and in the pub afterwards. If anyone is thinking of following their team to Tokyo, do it, you won’t regret it.
leftarc
Guest
I did not see the second half, and cannot comment on how Lucas went, but Powell was able to force two charge downs on the Sunwolves FB, and then race back to the ensuing ruck to distribute the ball. Although it's the little things, they are important.
Fionn
Guest
I'd never heard of him... But what a name!
Fionn
Guest
I was shocked at how good they were. The Brumbies looked shocked also.
Fionn
Guest
Indeed. On both points. But 'tis a long season, and Foley often has bad games to counterbalance the good ones. If this means he has practiced a lot in the off season and this heralds the beginning of a near 100% kicker though then that is nothing but a good thing for Aussie rugby. I'm also hoping that Lealiifano's poor kicking was primarily due to the wind, because it wasn't pretty, was it?
Neil
Guest
Good analysis, Fionn. I thought Christian L's game improved markedly when Lucas came on. Seemed a more natural fit. BTW, did you see Foley's goal kicking stats, including a number from the sideline. Christian will need to lift if he wants to displace him.
Harry Jones
Expert
Sunwolves will defend much better than before. Adding the best tackler in Lappies Labuschagne won’t hurt. - 248 tackles in one SR season (90%+) - 25 tackles this weekend; 0 misses - many of the tackles are dominant
Corw
Guest
I thought that the Sunwolves' half back was excellent. They didn't have a lot of possession in the second half, but in the first he was at every ruck passing bullets. Super flat too. He allowed them to push the line as quickly as they did in attack.
Fionn
Guest
I think the attack will improve. McKellar is making all the right words, and with the exception of 2016 we Aussies never start as well as the Kiwis. How bad was that defence?
Highlander
Guest
A couple of observations on this one Fionn Sunwolves set piece is not only a different animal this year, they could claim a draw in the loose as well against a solid Brumbies unit, Britz and the guy who sounds like a pasta were very good. Brumbies again seem obsessed with running into contact rather than running at gaps - both forwards and backs, they are going to have to improve their clean outs if this remains part of their game. Speight has redefined the up and in D as up and oops.
Fionn
Guest
Before Saturday I would have laughed at that suggestion, but they were very good and proved me wrong. Hopefully they have a strong season.
Fionn
Guest
Valetini has the height and the (light enough) weight to be a very good line out target too if he works on his technique. McCaffrey must be decent as a target also I presume? I think it depends on how Godwin performs. I wish TK would more consistently display the form he showed from 2013-15, but he is solid defensively and I like his big barnstorming runs (I just wish they were more common), but he lacks distribution. Godwin proved in his only Wallaby Test that he has the capacity to be a very capable pass/run/kick inside centre in the Matt Toomua mould, but he didn't show it last year. If his form improves this year then I will be very happy with the centre combination. He is great defensively, he can kick, pass and is a decent support runner despite being a great strike runner. Speight has been undroppable up until now. But with a new coach and so many new players, who knows?
Daveski
Guest
Have to edit my comment, "unstoppable" was meant to be "undroppable" !