With the departure of the South Africans from Super Rugby, the Brumbies were always going to provide the top New Zealand sides with games of the highest intensity outside the local derbies.
So we eagerly awaited the matches between Australia’s best side and the Kiwis’ one and two, not only for results, but to see how the New Zealand coaches would approach it.
And they really could not be further apart.
Here’s hoping the New Zealand coaches and selectors were watching as very different game plans produced seriously different outcomes.
I don’t think it’s unfair to say that you know exactly what the Brumbies will bring: huge heart and defensive effort, flooding of breakdowns, kicking to contests and picking off mauls for tries.
And before that offends too many home supporters’ sensibilities, a quick flick through of the team attacking stats for the year confirms the narrowness of their threat, as good as it is.
The Blues took a very direct, heads-on approach to this game.
With Joe Schmidt in the crew, there is a new steel about this Blues team, a doggedness in defence and a physicality that had been missing for some time.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The Blues’ game plan went directly to these strengths: keep the ball, wave after wave of big runners (the starting pack carried the ball 70 times during this game, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck carried 13 times for a single pass) and wait for the opposition to break, or offend.
And while the Brumbies were happy to concede penalties at will, I suggest they probably surprised the Blues with both the energy of their defence and for the length of time they were able to keep this up.
This is where the lack of an alternate battle plan very nearly came back to bite them. They invited the Brumbies into a street fight, and they got one, which very nearly cost them the game.
When the starting halfback passes the ball the ball over 100 times in a match and has 70 per cent territory, then I am looking directly at the halfback and the five-eighth for either the invention or the tactical nous to squeeze the opposition until they break and it just didn’t happen.
Last week I praised Beauden Barrett for playing in the slot, getting multiple touches and generally marshalling his team around the park and I was looking forward to more of the same.
But we saw a return to staying out the back, and waiting for things to unfold before injecting himself.
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
The lack of length on his kicking game was as exposed as James O’Connor’s was for the Reds this week, but luckily, the Brumbies don’t have the cattle to really hurt you on the return.
At the 26-minute mark I had him down for six touches and you cannot direct a game playing like this.
While each of the Blues’ tight forwards should have been in the running for the man of the match, there were two things in the loose forwards/breakdown work that were disturbingly like watching the All Blacks last year.
Firstly, the Brumbies were able to slow down the Blues’ ruck ball all night by fair means or foul, as the Blues’ loosies were just not arriving quickly enough, together, to compete.
And secondly, when they did it was not with enough physical presence to clear them out of the way.
Let’s be honest, the refereeing of the breakdown was kind of non-existent, so it was a free for all, but that’s no excuse for missing out on the key aspects of the game.
Slow ball meant a tough night for Finlay Christie, who was hassled at the base all night.
It meant the Blues’ forwards were working far harder than they needed to go forward but it also meant they were easy to read as there were few options outside narrow runners other than Tuivasa-Sheck hitting it into contact repeatedly.
It’s a blunt tool the Blues are operating with this year but it’s a damn fine one as their record shows.
But they opened a door here for the Brumbies that should not have been there, and let’s remember, were behind with a minute to go. It was a game plan that could have been extremely costly.
Contrast this with the Crusaders’ game plan.
Let’s begin with the reported comments of Nic White to Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall after this match. In short, the Crusaders had done to the Brumbies exactly what they had intended the other way round.
It began with selection. The country’s top tackler Tom Christie was relegated to the bench and Pablo Matera, Ethan Blackadder and Cullen Grace went out in the six, seven and eight shirts and the results were conclusive.
The Brumbies’ runners were cut down at the gain line (40 tackles between them without a miss) and picked off, and their arrival with force and accuracy at offensive breakdown time ensured quick ball and plenty of time for those out the back to make key decisions.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
While Rob Valetini was a notable absence for the Brumbies, they still send out a big trio, but could not get a foot in the door.
Richie Mo’unga, as he has for all games this year, sat in the slot, took control of this one early and produced a kicking game that pinned the Brumbies back over and over again.
But this was not simply the Mo’unga show. By constantly sitting in that ten channel, the Brumbies had to hold defenders on him. His run numbers are astonishing this year, but that’s for another day.
That allowed the Crusaders to bring in both David Havili and Will Jordan either side of the ruck, to both run and kick without pressure as the Brumbies simply could not figure out where the next attack would be coming from.
It was well orchestrated and cleanly executed, and simply did not allow the Brumbies into the game.
The Brumbies again fought strongly to the end, but this game was over long before the final whistle, and was won as much at the planning table as it was on the grass.
Scott Robertson hasn’t aways got it right this year. Juggling all those All Blacks rest minutes would be something some would call a luxury. We from south of the Waitaki certainly think so.
But he nailed this one, outthought his opposite, varied his tactics throughout the 80 minutes to remain a moving target when they had the ball and put up a wall when they didn’t.
But most importantly, he developed a plan to comprehensively win the key match areas where coach Ian Foster’s All Blacks fell down time and time again last year.
Food for thought, I reckon.
OtakiCraig
Roar Rookie
I reckon Schmidt's influence in the Blues, for his limited time, is enormous. I can't remember the Blues player and which program it was but he was very clear that Joe brought intensity to the group. Such intensity that this player had not encountered before (AB too) but certainly has been taken on by the team, as we can see. Games in the past that Blues would have lost, they win now. Intensive attack, by all, at full flight showing every week, skills not always there but the intent certainly is. So, not knowing what Joe does at trainings and the time of his interaction with the players, his influence and presence certainly shows in such a short time.
Fox
Roar Guru
Go back and watch the Crusader v Blues game PK – I think that comment needs rethink – seriously – and seriously quick still as he showed clearly in that game PK…so I respectfully agree to disagree on that one PK. If anythinng he has found his pace again to be honest and I think that was one thing that was missing from is game in last two years along with his confidence which is back IMO.
Kiwiclates
Roar Rookie
Both of them were zero for try assists
Clayton Saunders
Guest
Hmm ???? The game plans were different. But it wasn’t so much the Crusaders and Blues game plan. It was that of the Brumbies! They came out far too passive against the Crusaders and were missing a key playmaker…Lolesio! So the Brumbies rectified their mistakes against the Crusaders and came out and played their most physical game all season against the Blues. They were smashing g the Blues at every chance. And as was rightly pointed out. They weren’t totally legal at many (if any) of the breakdowns. So yeah the game plan was different. But the Blues took it on the chin in the first half before their coaching team changed the plan at half time and the Blues then came out and dominated the 2nd half. So even though the Blues were up against a much stronger team than the Crusaders faced. They still ran more metres than the Crusaders, carried more times than the Crusaders, beat more defenders, and won more rucks. As far as the Mo’unga vs Beauden battle goes…Barret actually kicked 13 x to Moungas 12. Barrett also passed 20 x to Mo’ungas 13. Barrett also ran twice as many metres 76 to Mo’ungas 36m. Barrett beat 6 defenders to Mo’ungas 3. Now Mo’unga did kick more penalties & conversions. But that’s simply because Barrett didn’t kick any (although maybe he should have for Perofetas sake ????????). But Barrett did take one shot at goal. The winning drop goal (not to mention Barrett also scored the opening try for the Blues too????????♂️). So really, based on those numbers…I’ll let you guys decide who actually had more of an impact on their teams success! Personally, I think that was the final played right there. Except the Blues will be even stronger when you add the Ioane bros, Robinson, and Caleb Clarke back into the mix! Crusaders…well they played their best team (didn’t they?) against what I believe was a much weaker Brumbies side. I guess only time will tell ????????♂️
Fox
Roar Guru
Jeff not at all - for a start many of the Blues already are AB's - knock knock whos there? So hardly being one eyed. The front rows in the 23 will come from the Chiefs Canes Blues and Saders and there are a few putting their hands up who are not already AB's - the locks the same but the starting locks will be Whitelock Retalick or Whitelock Barrett depending on how Retalick is looking when he returns. The bench could be a number players. From the Blues .Tucker has been one of best performing locks in the NZ comp and very physical so I think he might make the squad so they can look at him. Romano is in the form of his life but I don't think he will make the AB's even though he has been there before but who knows. The back row will be Savea - Cane and I think Akira Ioane or Blackadder. DP will definitely be in the 23. 9 will be Smith - 10 I think will be Barrett but the finals will tell us more but he has his nose in front at the moment - 12 is a bit of a conundrum - but I think they will put Goodhue there and Ioane at 13 - Clerk on one wing is dead cert and Jordie at 15 and Will Jordan on the other wing but the backline make up will have a lot to do with who they want to play at 12 IMO. Robinson has an outside chance of making the wider squad to begin with as he is playing well and can cover lock and 6 - but its a bit of log jam there so we shall see. But the truth is the plenty will come from the Chiefs, Blues and Crusaders as they are best performing NZ sides with many players in form and as the top side the Blues will have their share of players in the squad Barrett, Akira, Reiko, and Clerk will all be in squad and RTS will be in the wider squad initially to look at him for sure. Perofeta might get his opportunity as well as he is a quality 10 and 15 and good goal kicker and defensive kicker but that may depend on what is going on with DMac.
Jeff
Guest
Are there any non Blues players you fancy for the ABs Fox. You are sounding as parochial as some of my compatriots on here.
Fox
Roar Guru
One eye Havilli will be up against it hold his starting 12 position in the AB’s this season IMO. Reiko has set up his outside back very well this season. That long cut out pass he made to the wing against the Rebels is one example. What Reiko have you been watching this season. It is also a centres job to take scoring opportunities as well as make them just as one of the greats in Brian O’Driscoll who scored 46 tries for Ireland which would make some wingers proud. There different types of players that can play centre very well each with their own unique set of skills.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Kind words Bourkos. No, no law or politics for me, (yet) I did study philosophy a long time ago, but generally just have a life long love of words, and enjoy twisting them.
One Eye
Roar Rookie
Question about Rieko - what are his try assist stats? A centres role is not necessarily to score tries but to set up those around him. If he’s not supplying the outsides with try scoring opportunities then that’s a fundamental part of his game missing irrespective of him scoring a few. I have a belief that Havili is the Walter Little of this generation - you put him outside RM and they know each other’s play instinctively, you put him outside BB and they look like they’ve just met… Put a Crusader centre outside Havili and Rm and it’s next level.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Thanks Carlin As you know the loosies are where I spend most of my focus - at AB level we seem to have had this focus on width in the loose trio, or we did until after the SA games when they set about rectifying it. But you can tell the DNA has changed. Give me combos, balance and just straight out tough blokes with good rugby nous in 6 - 7 - 8 and forget the fancy stuff. And good observation on Grace - with hindsight he probably went up to the top level a year early, I had it explained to me that he was trying to play mans rugby in a still growing schoolboys body - thus he got busted up a lot - but this year, looks the real deal, as we knew he would be. Like you, see lots of good in big red - size and mongrel in the same place is always good.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
KCOL you speak like a poet - Are you in politics or the legal fraternity perhaps?
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
30* and one game doesn't make a player. He has had some good games before. But no doubt his return was nothing special
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Oz panellists?
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Thanks Highlander. Superbly written as always. A couple of things: 1. The lack of physical presence with the Blues loosies at the cleanout: This seems to be a common trend that has come into the All Blacks squad as well. NZ forwards have seem to have lost that edge at cleaning out the threat. In saying that with the Blues, their tight 5 has been impressive as they have unheralded workers like Tucker, Eklund, Romano and Robinson. 2. The Crusaders trio used against the Brumbies: Cullen Grace has been vastly improved this year and is back to the form that saw him first in an All Black squad in 2020. I know there is a long chain of loose forward candidates but he offers a lot. Does have the physicality and aggression in collisions, is mobile around the paddock, can cover 8,6 & lock and alongside Tom Robinson is one of the best lineout loose forward options in NZ.
One Eye
Roar Rookie
One of my biggest take outs from SR over the last month is where has the creativity gone from NZ teams? Outside of Mo’unga, most of the play seems to be simply shovelling the ball on and hoping for a broken tackle, heck I even found the Australian play on the weekend with players hitting the line at pace from depth refreshing while all the Blues (and Chiefs and Canes) seemed to be trying to do was batter their way through a wall - next to no variation or creativity used to manipulate or overcome the rush defence which is concerning this close to finals. Sure, Blues may win it but it won’t be with with a rapier but a mace and that’s going to be a problem at international level.
Fox
Roar Guru
Teams are like evolution Nick – never ever are they the finished article – too many variables to ever be the finished article – rule changes – player injuries – players moving on – coach changes – different opposition styles to contend with – and of course including we as humans I might add !!! The ‘ finished article’ is the shape-shifting phantom every team is constantly chasing you might say Nick…and just as we are dominating rugby earth…oh no…an asteroid hits :laughing:
Fox
Roar Guru
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Fox
Roar Guru
I am not sure Cron starts either and I thought you might be right about that. JS may not officially start but.....there is such a thing as a phone!!!
Fox
Roar Guru
I do not think RTS will be at 12 unless he has a total blinder final series and even then there are a couple of others in the pecking order ahead of him. But he is improving so fast and widely aknowledged by everyone who is anyone is NZ that he may nail it in the near future. And Foster has been very vocal for ages about RTS and the skillset he brings to rugby so Foster is a big fan. But – though I know you think Mounga should start – I believe if the Blues take the comp and he has good finals series BB will start at 10 and if he doesn’t I hope he is not at 15. Seriously though Nick, they are both world class players so the world is not going to fall in either way. But Reiko IMO will be at 13 whether some people like it or not. His form has been good there and there is no 13 in NZ more devastating in attack and his D stats are good – only 7 missed tackles all season…12 is a bigger guessing game IMO – Quinn Tupaea is in good form – Jordie (who might be a gem there but Foster seems cold on the idea when asked and he’s been asked more than once) , Havilli ( who I think is behind a couple now), U-Jenson is big unit and very hard to stop and a pretty good in the D at 12 but on the wrong side pecking order and last but certainly not least of course – Jack Goodhue who I think might start at 12. The wingers will be Caleb Clerk who the AB’s sorely missed last season and Jordie at 15 and Will Jordan on the other wing. If Jordie is actually given a go at 12 then Goodhue may start outside him with Reiko on one wing, Sevu Reece probably on the other with Will Jordan at the back but I just don’t think that is the combination they will go with. Reiko has been very impressive for the Blues at 13 this season and was badly missed there against the Brumbies and recently a number of x-AB’s and rugby scribes picked their AB 15 – and yes, of course that does not mean anything anymore than anyone else picking the AB’s does but does give you a gauge on what the concesus is – but they all picked Reiko at 13 without exception and not all had Goodhue even in the starting 15 which really surprised me I have to say. But he is not the only good 12 in NZ right now to be fair. Ennor is an interesting one but his game has not moved forward all that much from two years ago IMO. Injuries have not helped obviously. Still a very good player.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
It's the Brums way. Compete relentlessly at the breakdown. When under the hammer, simply infringe and then infringe some more. Infringing under pressure has worked nicely for the Crusaders for two decades but they have more ambition when in control. I think that's the next step for the Brums, continue to grow their ball in hand play