Brumbies coach Dan McKellar says the best defence he’s seen in his five years at the club earned them a Super Rugby semi-final berth.
The Brumbies are one win away from their first final in five years after dispatching the Sharks 38-13 at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
It marked the first time the Brumbies have won seven straight games in a season and they’ll now travel to Argentina and face the Jaguares for a spot in the decider.
“Our defence is as good as it’s been since I’ve been at the club and we take a lot of confidence out of that,” McKellar said.
“On the other side of that is a lot of our attacking opportunities coming on the back of really good defence, with turnover ball. Our game is in good shape but so is the Jaguares.
“We need to recover well and go over to Buenos Aires and get a result.”
The Brumbies could host their first decider since 2004 if the Hurricanes beat the Crusaders next Saturday, but first they must overcome the gruelling trip to South America.
The Australian conference winners have won nine of their past 10 games and the red-hot form continued in freezing conditions against the Sharks as they scored three superb first-half tries.
It laid the platform for victory as the Sharks came into the game in the second half but the home side’s defence was resolute in front of 11,1120 fans.
“I’m really proud of the boys. The Sharks threw a lot at us and the way the boys kept digging deep for each other was special,” said Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano.
“The way these boys handle whatever is thrown at them is amazing, we have a big job ahead of us but we’ll prepare well.”
Brumbies back-rower Pete Samu scored in the first minute after receiving an inside ball from lock Rory Arnold and dashing 35 metres to cross between the posts.
Curwin Bosch then got the Sharks on the board with a 50-metre penalty, but Arnold had his second try assist on 10 minutes when he put Henry Speight into the corner for a 14-3 lead.
The teams traded penalty goals before the Sharks conceded their first rolling maul try of the season when Samu bagged a double on 24 minutes.
The Brumbies held a 24-6 lead at the break but the visitors closed the gap when Andre Esterhuizen barged through Irae Simone to score in the 56th minute.
Joe Powell iced the game when he dummied from the ruck and ran 20 metres to score in the 72nd minute while his replacement, reserve halfback Matt Lucas, finished the job with a try in the final minute.
“It’s disappointing. We were one of the top defensive teams all year and to concede those three flash tries early on in the game really put us on the back foot,” said Sharks coach Robert du Preez.
The Jaguares are also in-form having won 10 of their past 11 games; the Brumbies most recent loss came against the Argentine side in Buenos Aires eight weeks ago.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Carter seems to be the guy everyone forgets
Olly
Roar Rookie
Valentini is an interesting prospect for the Wallabies. Might be a bolter?
Neel
Roar Guru
Australia’s most successful Super Rugby team. A bit of the old Brumbies attitude is reminiscent in this current team.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
I have the numbers on a spreadsheet but am not near my computer. From memory the tahs had the most by a bit over 1 player per game. I can get exact numbers tomorrow.
PeterK
Roar Guru
He didn't do much work against the sharks. That statement is not in conflict that when he did run the ball he did very well. He had quality but lacked quantity. You can have both.
numpty
Roar Rookie
You said he didn't work hard enough in the sharks game yet imo he was one of the best in the first half. That line he ran for the first try was nothing short of sublime. I also think he could carry in tight just fine but thats not the role the coach has him playing so its a moot point.
PeterK
Roar Guru
never said he wasn't a good ball carrier , he is out wide in the loose, a lot like Hooper. He isn't in tight up against big forwards where Naisarani does make hard metres.
Double Agent
Guest
I wouldn't have Genia anywhere near it. He's had a terrible season. He'll probably be the first one picked though!
numpty
Roar Rookie
Up the brumbies! great team performance with all players doing there bit, loving the big hits in D by the front row and Arnold. Three things they need to shore up: 1) come out firing in the 2nd half. They seem to let teams back into the game from 40-60min mark. 2) no aimless kicking. Handed over the ball when they were making meters in attack. 3) create turnovers in D. There defense is very solid and they seem to be able to hold out teams for long periods, but against the Jags and Saders these teams will be clinical enough to get over the chalk. Brumbies need to find a way to force a mistake or turn the ball over.
numpty
Roar Rookie
PK you've got to be joking re: samu??? From 5 carries he scored twice, made 70m, made 3 clean breaks and broke 6 tackles for 70 run meters! Samu is a good ball carrier, both in terms of carrying and passing, he seems to take some stopping given his size. The reason he didn't make many tackles is because he only played one half and brumbies had most of the ball for it. Best on ground for the minutes he played. Outplayed McCaffrey by a margin even though he was also good.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Samu doesn't do much work in either ball carrying or tackling. He made 2 tackles and carried 5 times. Yes he scored 2 tries, how many has he scored on average per game?
Bobwire
Guest
Well done Brumbies, it looks as if there is a good vibe in this team. Sharks losing players early no doubt helped the Brumbies. What was the penalty count? It seemed as if the Brumbies got pinged a fair bit? The Jags played well, and it should be a cracker this weekend. Lot's of wise heads in the players and coaching staff of the Brumbies, should keep things on an even keel.
BledisloeAsUsual
Guest
I would say Hooper’s tackle starts are better because his back line at the Waratahs largely can’t tackle. Not that I dislike Hooper, it’s just the job he’s been given that he does well at. Brumbies backs get the job done so less one on one tackles for Samu to make. Scored 2 tries though
The Selector
Roar Rookie
Genia and White would be my two first picks, between Powell and McDermott for the final spot, but right now I have Powell over McDermott.
rebel
Roar Guru
Yeah I said last night I would only add Rodda, Hooper, Naisarani and Kerevi to that Brumbies side. They are just getting more polished as the season goes on.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Thanks Mark. Hopefully he is not out too long. He has had some serious form of late.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
That was a good game, and if they play like that next week will win. Two things needed. The same ref or his equal. Hang onto the ball instead of inane kicking in their half. Good players, good coach, good assistants , good culture. All ignored by QRA , Cheika and the Media. Don’t worry boys the first two will soon be a product of their failure and gone . The embedded media don’t matter.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
They will have missed the handout of the new kit, and will make up the opposed training side for those who are never dropped.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Carter was as always on in the action . Not posing, snarling , watching or cheap shooting little blokes late.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Samu is staying behind in Canberra with a strained hammy. The team left at 6am this morning on a bus to Sydney airport.