The NSW Waratahs will be aiming to inflict some long-overdue revenge on the Brumbies when they lock horns in Saturday night’s Super Rugby AU clash at GIO Stadium.
The Brumbies currently sit on top of the five-team table, while the third-placed Waratahs are just three points adrift as the race for finals spots heats up.
The reward for finishing first is huge – a direct route to the final – and the Brumbies are in the box seat given they have a game in hand on all their main rivals.
The Waratahs are riding a two-game winning streak but they still have painful memories of their 24-23 loss to the Brumbies in round three.
A 77th-minute try from Brumbies No.9 Issak Fines and a successful conversion from Bayley Kuenzle stole the win on that occasion.
It extended the Brumbies’ winning streak to five against the Waratahs, which included a 47-14 hammering in March before the Super Rugby campaign was put on hold due to coronavirus.
Waratahs assistant coach Matt Cockbain said the one-point loss last month was still fresh in their minds.
“We’ve spoken about it, that one hurt a lot. It is a bit of a motivation,” Cockbain said.
“We should have closed that game out better than we did.
“We gave them an opportunity and they took it, which is a credit to them.
“And when we went down there pre-COVID we got belted. That was disappointing that loss.”
The Brumbies have beaten NSW in eight of their past nine meetings – a record the Waratahs are desperate to mend.
“You always want to win, you always owe them one,” Cockbain said.
“There’s a bit of history between the Brumbies and Waratahs.
“And we’re playing for the Dan Vickerman Cup too, a legend of the game and a guy who I was lucky enough to play with.
“We’ve spoken about that as well. We haven’t had our hands on that trophy, and we’d like to do that.”
Cockbain described the Brumbies as the benchmark of Australian rugby.
The Brumbies had the bye last week, giving them extra time to stew over their 30-12 loss to the Rebels in their previous outing.
PeterK
Roar Guru
brumbies advantage there
Brett McKay
Expert
Ha, email comes in 10 minutes later with the answers... FOR v RED Jordan Way (Berry + Murphy the ARs) BRU v WAR Angus Gardner (Cooper + Keane)
Brett McKay
Expert
I don't buy into pre-judging refs Peter, but it will pretty obviously be Gardner in charge of BRU-WAR, simply for the fact Murphy and Berry wouldn't be able to get back into Qld without going into quarantine on their return..
jameswm
Roar Guru
Agreed - look at the improvement over the season of Horton, HJH, Bell, Hanigan, Dempsey, Swinton, Harrison, Ramm etc.
MonkeyBoy
Roar Rookie
It will be C) Gardner.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The Bummers are like the old Tahs ( Posers) v The Tahs are the new Tahs . They have glanced down at the mirrored floor tiles in the showers and had a good look at themselves. The Bummers haven’t turned up since losing Lolisio. Their forwards will need to be on song ,to give them any chance. Banks and Slow Joe can’t possibly play any worse than they did last game. Get Fines out there. The game will be won by Gordon , Harrison and Hunt unless the Bummers can put some legal pressure on them. The Referee may well decide it as they are want to do.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Gardiner is like Matt Kean to the Brumbies.
Double Agent
Guest
I'll go with (D) Cooper!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Even if the Tahs lose, if they can put in a strong performance where they are still in the game right up to full time, that would be a good result for a young team, with 3 good performances in a row.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Its only Tuesday but already looking forward to hopefully another cracking game of rugby. Obviously want a Tahs win but I'm seriously enjoying how the Tahs' backline is playing, even though 2 tries last week were ruled no try just great intent of how they want to play
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Most excited I've been about a super game in some time. . I hope it captures the audience it deserves.
PeterK
Roar Guru
The most crucial aspect will be who the ref is. Will they allow brumbies to milk penalties and be very inconsistent ie Berry. Will they allow anything goes at the breakdown and have no idea in the scrum ie Murphy Will they call a lot of penalties even for obscure technicalities ie Gardner. Will they only penalise material infringements and be consistent but ensure fast breakdowns ie Cooper
jameswm
Roar Guru
I like the one person sack. Compete or sack.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Good luck beating the Brumbies in Canberra. Don’t give away penalties in your own half.
PeterK
Roar Guru
only if they contest Last time simmons stopped contesting near the line
terrykidd
Roar Pro
The Brumbies rolling maul is an issue but the Tahs have the best defensive lineout in the comp and I reckon that is where they stop the maul .... before it is even set.