The Brumbies are banking on their big-game experience to steer them into the Super Rugby AU grand final, however the Western Force have shown they’re up for the fight of a sudden-death showdown.
The teams meet in the qualifying final in Canberra on Saturday night, with the winner facing the Queensland Reds in Brisbane in a week’s time.
Force coach Tim Sampson isn’t intimidated by the task of downing the defending premiers, on Friday describing the Brumbies’ recent form as “clunky” and saying the home team infringe a lot.
Having won the Super Rugby AU crown last year and reached the semi-finals of the regular 15-team competition in 2019, the Brumbies are well-versed in handling play-off pressure.
It’s the Force’s first taste of finals footy since their inception in 2006.
Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa said that edge in experience would be an advantage.
“I think experience is great – having that pressure feeling that we had in the final last year and that build-up to the final is crucial,” the Wallabies prop said on Friday
(Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)
“A lot of our experienced boys have stepped up this week to make sure that everyone does take it up a notch.”
The Force have shown a never-say-die attitude in their past three games, securing last-gasp wins to march into the three-team finals.
That included serving up the Reds’ only loss of the season a week ago, with a 73rd-minute try snatching a 30-27 victory.
Alaalatoa predicted a similar tight finish.
“That’s what finals footy comes down to. We definitely know it will go down to whole 80 minutes so we know our finishers are going to have to do a good job,” he said.
“We know the Force have a lot of momentum from the last three games but we’ve had a good week of prep and we need to take our chances when they come.”
After two heavy losses against the Brumbies this season, Sampson said his team needed to start well to put the home side on the back foot and silence the home crowd at GIO Stadium.
“It’s important to get a good start against the Brumbies; to get in that arm wrestle and not fall behind on the scoreboard early,” he said.
“It’s a big focus for us and we’re going to have to be bloody good at it.”
Sampson said his team continued to set new goals, with their self-belief sky high.
“Last year and the start of this competition we hadn’t beaten any team so we’re ticking boxes and there’s another box to be ticked, and that’s beating the Brumbies at home.
“We’re riding a wave at the moment and the Brumbies in the last couple of games have been a bit clunky.
“We’ve got to maintain possession for long periods; they infringe a lot in all areas of the game so we’ve got to hold on to the ball as much as possible and play in good areas of the field.”
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Still. Is that why she is an ex ? :happy:
jeznez
Roar Guru
From the Sky Blue to the Sea of Blue, cheering for your lads today.
Ex force fan
Guest
Great comments. I’ll give you a standing ovation...
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Bobby: I thought that a lot but my ex was strongly opposed to it.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Justified Jacko!
1997 Brumbies
Roar Rookie
According to some the Brumbies have been on the slide for 20 years :laughing: . And its not the crowd that'll hurt the Force, it's the cold.
And to think If Id shot her I would have been out 20 years ago :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Woolfe
Roar Rookie
Now if we can just stop those pointless box kicks and the normal 10 minutes of "Force Time" where the opposition put 10 points on us while we are day dreaming that we seem to have every match .... Go Force, will be over to see you in your first finals next week if Mr McClown releases us!
jeznez
Roar Guru
The Force making the final is a quantifiable measure of success for investing in the third largest playing population in the country. They’ve only been back for two seasons and progressed this far with 9 locals in their squad already (to go with the other 5 around the other teams). Expect even more in seasons to come with the investment that is going into their academy and local clubs.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
The Force making the final is a quantifiable measure of success for one bloke with deep pockets full of passionate cash - Twiggy. Shame there's not a few more squillionaires out in Rugbyland.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Jacko, I remember once over my advanced years, during a reflection of the past, that I was nearly wrong once. :happy: :happy:
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The Brumbies are our best team and should win well but : . Nick Berry is the Referee . . There will be a few cards yellow and red. . Berry will decide who wins .
stillmissit
Roar Guru
It's a woman's full-time job, Jacko. That and questioning every decision you make?
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Touch of EJ in Sampson's comments. We've got big hearts and the ball's oval, anything can happen. Go the Force!!
robel
Roar Pro
Go the Force.
Thats how I see it but my wife tells me Ive been wrong before.....She tells me that a lot actually :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
It's often said that a game is won by the 20cm between the ears. Reading the comments in this article you'd think that neither side has filled that space with confidence. With all the experience AAA spoke of in the team, I'd have expected the Brums to have had one bad week followed by two good/great ones if they were capable of those performances. I think they are on the slide. The Force have been on the rise for the last three weeks. A new combination in the Australian landscape, players coming from all parts of the rugby world, many of whom have had major success and now combinations clicking. And for some of those players it may be the last hoorah, a final opportunity at a finals series and glory. Yes, the Force has had to travel but they're still playing on a 100x 70m field for 80(+) minutes. And at this level the crowd should become white noise, so very little influence there. For me, this is the Force's game to lose, rather than the Brumbies' game to win. Then again, I'm just a Busted Fullback who, for one week this year, is a Force fan.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
I suspect that if the Force can do what their coach asks ie start strong, then we could be in for a great game. If the Brumbies rip into them and run up a scoreboard full, then I don't think the Force can win the 2nd half if they are chasing 20+ the Brumbies D will be too strong. Still, the Force is who I will be shouting for - hopefully!!!!!
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Force are no doubt, sentimental favourites. But then reality bites. Brumbies will be clinical tonight and prepared for the onslaught. Add to that, the home ground advantage and a Brumbies victory is most likely. Should be a great game.
jeznez
Roar Guru
:laughing: