The Brumbies are pledging to flex their collective muscle in pursuit of the title of undisputed kings of Australian provincial rugby union.
Australia’s conference champions in three of the past four Super Rugby campaigns, the Brumbies are intent on solidifying their status with 2020 glory in the abridged version of the competition.
That means keeping Brad Thorn’s emerging Queensland Reds at bay in Saturday night’s Super Rugby AU final in Canberra.
To do so, Brumbies captain and Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa has identified the set piece as the area where the hosts plan to mark their territory.
“For us, physicality is going to be king,” Alaalatoa said on Friday.
“In terms of a forwards perspective, we need to make sure that we’re on, especially in and around our set piece.
“They’ve been a threat all year around set piece and they have a quality back row who is putting a lot of pressure on the breakdown.
“So I think for us forwards we need to make sure we deliver on physicality and start really well.”
Riding a four-game winning streak, the Reds dominated at scrum time in a 26-7 mauling of the Brumbies three weeks ago in Brisbane.
But Thorn’s men haven’t tamed the Brumbies in the national capital in six years.
Alaalatoa is hoping the presence of 6000 fans, hardly capacity at GIO Stadium but the biggest COVID-19 crowd of the season, will swing the game the Brumbies’ way.
“It’s going to be awesome. The feeling when you ran out and there was 1500, it was like the stadium was full and it got better with 3000,” the skipper said.
“So with 6000, from a player’s view, you can tell the atmosphere is going to be unreal.
“It’s 1-1 at the moment in the Super Rugby AU comp, so you could almost call it the decider.
“They are obviously a team that’s in form at the moment. They have a lot of momentum coming into the game, but for us, we’re fresh and we are really keen to rip in.”
Although the real-deal Super Rugby crown isn’t up for grabs, the Reds are hoping to crack their first title since 2011, as well as Australian bragging rights.
The Brumbies haven’t won a championship since 2004.
Alaalatoa’s front-row partner Scott Sio is the sole forward survivor from the Brumbies’ 27-22 near miss against the Chiefs in the 2013 Super Rugby title decider in New Zealand.
“Scotty got up a few weeks ago and spoke about how long he’s been involved in the club and just fell short in the grand final,” Alaalatoa said.
“For him, who is one of our veterans, it truly means a lot for him to be part of this grand final and getting another chance of winning something special with the group.”
Stats that matter
• Each of the last ten Super Rugby games between the Brumbies and Reds have been won by the home team
• The only previous post-season meeting between the Brumbies and Reds came in the 2001 Super Rugby semi-finals when the Brumbies won 30-6 before claiming the title
• The Brumbies have scored 24 tries on possession begun with a lineout win in Super Rugby AU, 11 more than any other team
• The Reds have gained more metres (476), made more clean breaks (11), beaten more defenders (25), and made more offloads (eight) per game than any other Super Rugby AU team
Ex force fan
Guest
5,000 for a final confirms Rugby Union decline to a Tier 2 sport, how sad?
BuffaloTheorist
Roar Rookie
Once you say it out loud there’s no going back.
jameswm
Roar Guru
AAA v JP will be very interesting. AAA better hold up the scrum ok because the other side will he going backwards.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Tooly's assessment is interesting, though flawed. You've given the chocolates to a kid coming back after a month, against the one man who has shown the most composure of any player in SRAU. For that reason alone, the Reds must be seen as having the slight advantage man-for-man. As for playing in Canberra, the best view of is in the rear view mirror, as you take the trophy home.
Warwick Todd
Guest
Wouldn't McWright be simpler.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Go the Reds! been great to watch all season. Put the broken down ponies in the knackers yard! Unfortunately, reality says it will be very hard for the Reds to do it, I am hopeful and wonder if the youngsters are up for it? That is the thing with young teams they can blow teams away or blow cold. I am looking for a hot final.
pm
Roar Rookie
As a WAer I should be neutral but I hope the Reds win. If it's more of an open play game without too many lineouts inside their 22 I think they will.
elysiusrugby
Roar Rookie
These Queenslanders are going to leave the ACT with a red face and the title of 2nd best team in AUS.
Crash Ball2
Roar Rookie
Despite best efforts, I’m warming to Wrighty McReightFace BT.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Solid assessment Buff man. A Brumbies win is most probable, but the Reds have the game and form to mess with their heads, which will also silence the crowd. I'm tipping Reds by 5.
BuffaloTheorist
Roar Rookie
Such an interesting match-up, Brumbies relatively out of form compared to the start of the season, particularly in the backs. Wright, Simone, Kuridrani, Banks and the half backs have all been below their best, while for the Reds, Daugunu, Campbell, Stewart, JOC and little man Tate are all in form. Tupou and Wrighty McReightface also give the Reds the edge in the forwards, but it’s a points decision. Having said that, all the external factors are well and truly in the Brumbies favour - home ground advantage, travel etc. History says it will be tough for the Reds to get up, fingers crossed.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Looking at them man for man , or in some cases man for boy. . Tupou is the Reds big gun. The Brumbies can and must not let him be. . Miller is 80 minutes. McReight 8 minutes. . Samu V Wilson nothing in it. Samu is not look at me. . Wright / Valentini / McCaffrey ditto. . McDermott is better than Slojo but not White. . Lolisio more dangerous than OC who will be solid with the odd forward inside pass. . Steward better than Simone . Particularly if he is allowed to play offside all night. . Paisami and Kuridrani will be square. Both very good . . Nothing in the wingers. Petals will be injured again. . Banks tackles , Campbell doesn’t . Brumbies by 15.
Charlie Turner
Guest
Reds 13+ paying $7.00....get on it Bobby!
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
6xAs better start guzzling some red cordial; he's in for a tough night.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Reds and or Reds fans are pretty cocky. Sometimes the results that follow show a real flacidity in the early premise of exaltation. GO BRUMBIES !
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Cmon Brumbies! Bring the Reds back to Earth with a thud!!!!