The Brumbies and the Reds NEVER disappoint.
The fiercest rivalry in Australian rugby was on full display on another exceptional night filled with drama aplenty, the Brumbies withstanding an almighty late charge from the Reds – somehow – to win a classic 16-12.
Despite scoring only one try to the visitors’ two, three penalty goals to none was enough for the Brumbies to gain a decisive advantage.
Errors aplenty from both sides were a by-product of the intensity, which occasionally spilled over as both sides conceded a hefty amount of penalties, and plenty of spite to boot; Taniela Tupou waving off Darcy Swain after a yellow card the prime example.
“Obviously it’s well documented in terms of the rivalry between the two teams, but also a lot of niggle,” former Wallaby Drew Mitchell said on Stan Sport after the match.
“Probably a little bit more than we’ve seen in recent times, just how much one another were willing to try and get under one another’s skin, and also how much success they were have in doing so.”
Former great Morgan Turinui agreed, saying the match was a ‘step up’ from other Super Rugby Pacific matches.
“That’s closer to Test match intensity,” Turinui said.
“Execution not quite there because the teams aren’t used to it. Can’t wait for that next one [between the Brumbies and Reds in two weeks’ time] already.”
According to Turinui, the match was perfect preparation for the Wallabies’ mid-year Tests against England, with a number of squad hopefuls on display.
“It’s a similar game that the Wallabies will need to play against England in that three-Test series… can they get up to that level of physicality and intensity that Eddie Jones’ men will bring?” he said.
Nic White of the Brumbies juggles the ball. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
One of those banging down the door is Brumbies lock Nick Frost, who did his chances of a shock call-up this winter no harm at all with an excellent match.
According to Mitchell, it’s the things Frost does off the ball, as much as his work from the set piece, that makes him an ideal candidate for further honours.
“It’s the work he does off the ball,” Mitchell said.
“Obviously, set piece is his core role, his lineout work, his scrum work, but also the work that he’s doing off the ball – getting himself in the defensive line on kick-chase, getting himself around the corner to be present in a defensive line.
“Those little things that we won’t see on highlight reels, but he’s doing really well.”
“They’re the things as a coach you look for, those things off the ball,” fellow former Wallaby Nathan Grey added.
“Getting yourself in position early. He played 80 minutes – a big guy, he’s got great speed, he’s got a really good turn of speed, and obviously a big engine. And very effective in the lineout.
“He’s putting himself together as a real full package and a really quality player.”
Turinui agreed, saying selectors would have been ‘very impressed’ by the 22-year old’s performance.
“When we talk about physicality, intensity, performance, he was right at the forefront,” Turinui said.
“Yes, everything right now until July is shadowed in some way by Wallabies selectors, and they would have been very impressed by another guy who sticks his name up to go into that selection mix.”
Frost himself was keen to share the glory around in an interview with Stan Sport after the Brumbies’ win, but maintained the rivalry was ‘good for Australian rugby’.
“It was pretty physical out there,” Frost said.
“These rivalries, they’re good for us, they’re good for Australian rugby.
“Obviously we’ve gone pretty close to the death there, for our past few games, but it’s good to come out on top.”
Losing captain Fraser McReight was dejected after the game, describing his emotions as ‘pretty dire’ after such a hard-fought match.
“It’s quite a bitter feeling right now,” he said.
“We knew it was going to be a battle for the whole 80 minutes, and so did the Brums.
“It was a challenging game. I don’t know too much about the Test 40, but the rivalry we have with the Brums is definitely up there in terms of the highest standard of rugby. It’s fast, it’s competitive and it’s not just for 60 minutes, it’s for the whole 80.
“I’m expecting in two weeks, they’ll recover and they’ll review, we’ll do the same, and it’s going to be another belting in for 80 minutes. I can’t wait.”
Two weeks that can’t go by fast enough.
1997 Brumbies
Roar Rookie
Short Arm, the ref almost never calls out “advantage” loud enough for anyone other than the players in their immediate vicinity to hear. Which is why they also give a visual signal. I actually thought that they only say advantage to communicate to the touchies that it’s been called through their comms system, which is why they rarely yell it out but more often just say it as speaking to each regularly. I’ve also played enough to know a lot of the time you can’t hear the ref if you’re away from the ruck. So you rely on a visual signal. The question shouldn’t be if he did or didn’t call out advantage, it should why was his arm out if he didn’t think it was a penalty to begin with? “Because I changed my mind” doesn’t really cut it at professional level.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
The progression has been impressive with the two sides.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
I was frustrated with the Swain yellow. I agree that he should have been carded but there was no warning. The Reds gave away five penalties in six or seven minutes, were given the opportunity to take a breather and have McReight calm them down one of the penalties was when Wilson collapsed a maul close to the line (second lineout maul infringement in two or three minutes) and got away with a penalty only. The Brumbies gave away three (albeit in the same passage of play) and got a card with no warning.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
14 tackles is not anonymous. Wilson is used as a carry option more often than Valetini on average so will look like he is doing more work. Having said that, I agree that Wilson had a very strong outing.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
The game in the North has improved out of sight. Watching Ireland play is a pleasure to watch. Same with the Harlequins. I reckon Ireland or France will hold the cup in 2023.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
I am so glad his move to Argentina means we do not have to listen to the "expert commentary" from the second worst Wallaby coach in living memory (Smith was the worst but he had a brain tumour as an excuse). Maybe if he used the same analytical skills and watched his opposition more then he would have been more succesful
Hooter
Roar Rookie
I really hateit when the ball is at the back of the scrum, with the half's hands on the ball seeing a referee demanding a reset, or even worse penalising a side for a collapse or the front row stranding up. The scrum is won, use the ball and get on with it. When it comes to the scrum, I think a lot of referees guess as to why it went down and have no real understanding of the mechanics. Watching Murphy lecture the front rows was theatre, I can imagine Slipper with 100+ tests and 150+ Super games thinking "What does this idiot even know? He would have never packed into the front row of a contested scrum in his life!" Where is the credibility? I also hate it when I see a prop penalised for putting his hand on the ground or a knee hitting the ground momentarily and then fights back into shape before the ball is fed. Let the boys play!
WEST
Roar Guru
I think France have brought back a bit of old school rugby.. Been in hibernation since McQueen era.. if you look at Frances attack it’s very similar to the Wallabies of the 90s also the Brumbies style. Converging forwards & backs Attacking the fringes of the ruck consistently, using inside balls, switches and rapid pick n goes. Consistently target the same area, by doing this their targeting the same place in the line of defence, the line is slowly reduced and thinned, eventually creating gaps and holes to exploit. By that time the forwards are gathered and clustered, then they spin the ball wide and attack. Dupont's, is very good around the fringes.. similar to Gregan with his going around the fringe then popping a pass back inside manipulating the defenders. Dupont is a key to Frances success, he’s good at finding gaps and the forwards are always converging around him. It’s also similar to the way the ABs wide/wide style of play.
WEST
Roar Guru
NH rugby, particularly France is bringing back a bit of 90s rugby flair combined with modern discipline and structure. All the while trying to create and thrive in chaos, they’re also very good at looking for weaknesses to strike at. The French key elements, have always been adaptability, movement and speed.. Straight out of a 1990s playbook. But to play this style requires a lot of trust, trust in the players skill level and talent. France looks to have found the right people at the right time, at the right place. What I like about Ireland, is their ball presentation, always efficient also their pass timing amongst their forwards is awesome.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G’day Mk. Can I just add to your comment: “their are many others in the modern era and many more from the past.” Just my rose coloured glasses looking back? :silly:
Klutz
Roar Rookie
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Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Bit harsh. Unfortunately Bobby you might have to wait a bit until you get your man, Reuben Keane, reffing one of these big matches going off his game when the Brumbies played Drua. What will he be known as, Keane Pony or Brumby Ben?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
SA. Obviously the Brums didn't need Valetini to "fire". Save him for next time
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Ha. Red Berry and Maroon Murphy. What a pair of incompetents !
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
It was an interesting watch! A big positive for me was seeing Liam Wright back and I thought he looked like a bit of a beast and hopefully will build in the next few weeks. Well done Brumbies and Go Reds!
Cornchips
Guest
Right after giving them incorrect information along with other dubious calls like giving a mark after calling touched three times or not giving a yellow after a warning and multiple penalties in the 22 following the warning
wigeye
Guest
Harrison share fullback
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Full marks Bobby after Murphy handed the Brums the game in missing a blatant penalty try.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
I didn't think Nasser was SR standard at the start of the season but he's made massive steps forward in last two weeks. Needs Thor as his tighthead though.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Considering Murphy ignored a blatant penalty try to the Reds in the last 2 minutes Brumbies fans should be hoping he gets the rematch.