Brumbies face a tough ask after final loss

On NZ side as NZ Herald points out: Chiefs face the worst schedule of any of the Kiwi sides in this five-week regular season, being one of two teams (the Crusaders the other) to have a 3-2 away-home game split, while due to where their byes fell in the Aotearoa competition and because of making the final, they are going to play 10 games in as many weekends, or 11 if they make another final. Reds have the best of the Oz sides - I'll be surprised if they don't make the Finals. They could be in trouble if the lose against the Clan first up as they meet the Saders and the Blues ...

Hopefully turned a corner in maturity....Still need the aggression tho

On reflection it seems pretty silly to pick Timani as well. Sure the work rate numbers Nick B put up look good but who needs a powerful lock.

I agree EFF. Too many Force guys. Tom Robertson should be no where near that 23. Just coz he made team of the competition, is an experienced test player, has scrummed very solidly at LHP and handled Tupou. I think Tom's 27 years old or thereabouts so completely washed up. The only thing he has going for him is that he's small. Short and strong though.

Agree. That lineout was their chance to control their destiny. No point crying about the ref. The Brumbies had big problems with their scrum too. No point complaining about the big nasty man not pushing straight. You gotta sort that out. It's a contest.

Yes I like the idea of Valetini as an 8 because right now he is looking like our best backrower in terms of impact. Not wanting to get into a Hooper debate it is just that Valetini has been applying a lot of irresistible muscle on some big guys. So I reckon we train him up to play 8 and we can rotate 6s through on a horses for courses basis. We know Wilson can play 6 so we shouldn't lose anything. Also gives a lot of power at the scrum base. I think Valetini is more powerful than Wilson.

I'm starting to think ASY is worthy. Like his dad he would probably only leave blood out on the field.

I thought Swinton's non reaction to Naisarani's chin jabs and attempted punches was indicative of him stepping up to another level of self control.

agree re consistency. However he was consistent re TT and scrums. He did not penalise TT for how he setup , ie packing, but when he drove he drove sideways. The other times he did setup at an angle but the scrum was driven straight at the hooker , not to wheel the scrum.

Totally agree PK, "no ref ever gets everything right in a game" , BUT the inconsistent interpretation and application of those rules is a concern. Video consistently show TT boring in and not packing correctly. I think TT was penalised once and in the next scrum he did the same thing and then contiuously got away with it. There were other insistencies and not just to the disadvantage of the Brumbies, some high tackles and neck rolls and going in off their feet come to mind. I remember when training as a referree in a number of sports - You will not get it always correct, BUT, the one thing you must be is CONSISTENT. Players and spectators then know where and what to expect from a Ref resulting in a better game. The Ref failed in this respect on Saturday.

Tough schedule... the Force normally travel the most but not this year or maybe the change of a lock down for Covid helped. We will spend 3 weeks in NZ, it will be tough as we play Canes, Crusaders and Blues away in consecutive weeks.

Spot on...tackling the player with the ball in a maul is called collapsing the mail. You can sack the player before the mail is formed or if he break away from the mail. It was a try saving tackle as the Reds momentum seems unstoppable that could also been a penalty try and YC.

A coaches job is not to find excuses for your players performance. Teach players to control what they can control and own their performance. The Brumbies with White has been able to influence decisions in their favour. Live by the sword, die by the sword stuff.

I think you have too many Force players in your 23 team.

:unhappy:

Gee if we really want to look at every decision; Petaia's no try had Nick White leading with knees to the head...can't believe they didn't say a word. YC or something?

I’m not sure an previous Reds player with 33 caps born in Brisbane can be my completely impartial. Last 5 minutes with Nic Berry were highly questionable. 2 yellow cards with no warning, Player held up over the line but then gave a plenary which wasn’t called prior and a knock on by TT as seen in the spider cam... Berry did everything to ensure the Reds won. It’s also a scrum Penalty if the tight head pushes in from the side, that’s the tile folks TT did it all day and no penalties... brumbies were the better team last night...

no ref ever gets everything right in a game also rugby.com.au is just 1 journos opinion. Yes it is the coaches job to help their team win but if one of their pillars in doing that is to willingly infringe near their line then they need to own that and just suck it up if they get a few yc’s and not sook about it.

Not wanting to belt the ref. However it is reasonable to observe flaws that to me seem avoidable. Sadly mum isn’t with us BF.

:happy: :thumbup: