The Brumbies have secured a home quarterfinal against the Hurricanes next week, and eliminated the Rebels from this season’s competition with an efficient 33-17 win in Canberra.
The home team went into a breakdown war without two of their Wallabies props – new dad James Slipper and injured Allan Alaalatoa – but it was a couple of special tries from their outside backs that proved the difference. Their quarterfinal is expected to be on the same ground and same time next week.
Winger Corey Toole added another to his growing highlights reel in the first half that had Stephen Hoiles gushing: “That’s what he does probably better than any winger in the competition. He makes half a yard become a five pointer.”
Toole, however, could be in some doubt for the final next week, having hobbled off in the first half.
Coach Stephen Larkham suggested one of his players was in doubt already.
“I haven’t actually had the chance to get back into the sheds yet (but) a few guys came off the field in a bit of pain,” he said.
“From everything I’ve heard so far, there might be one guy that might struggle for next week, but outside of that we should be good.”
That first half try was bettered by a crucial first home try of the season for the Wallabies No.15 favourite Tom Wright early in the second half.
The Rebels won the up front battle in the first half but went to the sheds down 12-10, after a Carter Gordon try. They were hammering on the door near the Brumbies line when the home team came up with a turnover on 46 minutes.
In a flash – and with some passing and trickery that would have thrilled the Harlem Globetrotters – they surged down field and Wright planted the ball down for what was essentially a 14-point swing.
Rob Valetini of the Brumbies makes a line break. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The Rebels had lost their own No.15 gold jersey contender Andrew Kellaway to a head knock before the break, and their injury woes didn’t end there. The last 30 minutes of the game saw uncontested scrums after both Rebels hookers Jordan Uelese and Alex Mafi were forced off.
There was also a tense moment for Nick Frost and Wallabies fans when the towering lock went down injured with what at first appeared to be a knee injury. Frost thought the worst initially before he was able to get back to his feet and finished the game
“It was pretty scary. I’ve never done my knee so I thought … it was obviously pretty intense pain and it felt awkward. I did think that [that he might miss the Test season] , when I laid on my back. I thought about few blokes I’ve seen do them.”
The Rebels needed to win to get into the top eight and came out with plenty of intensity.
Brumbies flanker Tom Hooper called his team’s first-half breakdown work “a dog’s breakfast. We’ve got no real composure out there.”
“It’s ferocious, isn’t it?” said Justin Harrison at halftime. “Both teams are trying everything they’ve got in those contact areas. And of course that’s a design on disrupting the rhythm that we know that both of these teams can bring – Rebels looking for width, Brumbies looking looking for continuity. Neither team is able to find it at the moment.”
Hoiles added: “The Brumbies have a slight lead but the Rebels have won the battle of the breakdown.”
Richard Hardwick, Brad Wilkin and Sam Talakai were all playing well, and the Rebels would have fancied themselves as right in the game until Wright’s try turned the tide for good.
Wilkin was rewarded for his endeavour with a late try, converted by Reece Hodge in his 100th and final Super Rugby game, but the Brumbies iced it for good when Andy Muirhead joined the back three party with a late five-pointer.
soapit
Roar Guru
Id say there were many people involved and the timing suggest Deans wasn't massively near the top of people to be crediting with it getting up but, yes it can't have hurt having the Wallaby coach in favour (even though this value was likely diminished in the years leading up to his removal)
Chivas
Roar Rookie
The point is as head coach, he helped push it over the line and took a side. Nothing in life or business makes its way to reality in a short period of time... it usually takes lobbying from those in positions of influence... of which Deans was an important voice. TWAS thinks it was opinion writers for the Green and Gold who had the ear of those on power. Add to that Deans intimate knowledge and experience in developing the Crusaders into the powerhouse it is at NPC level intially and his input into the conversation is an important one... not the only one obviously... but a lot more than an opinion writer for the Green and Gold or whoever TWAS and his imagination think..
Chivas
Roar Rookie
You are an odio0t Twas.in life and work, many things which fail are repackaged and re-invenred... the same people who oversaw the initial failure are often not the same as those involved in fiture renditions... and to boot nobody claims the first failure is related to the second... as for making stuyff up... that is your territory with your probably because and repackaging your ignorance as fact.. if it didnt happen in your head it didn't happen... your ignorance takes the cake... or do some research and learn something.. but not your style is it TWAS..
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing T. Hooper manhandle Ardie again!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
And FYI - those opinion writers. One was a Reds employee and future NRC commentator. Another was a brisbane premier grade and wallaroos coach.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Or completely made up? Even more interesting the idea existed BEFORE Deans.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
My lack of knowledge by not accepting you saying “various sources” means Deans was influential? I was pointing out the Australian rugby world was calling for it. Nothing to do with Deans. They’d already done it before Deans! You talk about voices in your head when your whole weight of evidence is “trust me bro”
soapit
Roar Guru
Interesting it didn’t come about during his 6 years in the job then isn’t it. Perhaps his influence from pushing for it from day dot is being a little inflated
Mike
Roar Rookie
It's a good point. Rebels over the years can beat most teams on a good night, they just don't seem to ever string them together for some reason. How good is Hodge.
Mike
Roar Rookie
You keep saying the same thing over and over, and noone saw the footage you did apparently. That's not how White plays his footy mate.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
What an absolute dingdong you are TWAS. The chronological order of events was not being debated. Your lack of knowledge outside a handful of opinion pieces with respect to who was pushing what is what I was pointing to. If you think opinion writers for G&G etc. was what influenced the people who make these calls… then have at it. I’d suggest you do a little more research, but you seem more interested in your own opinions as opposed to actually being informed. Various sources including from interviews with Deans and others may not be facts… especially when compared to the voices in your head, but for me they are… not probably because….as you state.. that is your that is your opinion..
Big A
Roar Rookie
Lomax – the kiwi refs are not unconscious – they are wide awake and know exactly what they are doing
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
Really ease to just bag them but they have won games and have been in the contest for many games against good sides. Not being a natural home of rugby creates issues but I love the fact that we have a Rugby team in Melb and am glad to see them improving.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Except his pass was as forward as an NFL pass…
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Sums up TWAS nicely there Chivas :thumbup: :laughing: :silly:
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Nah, I’d say very much unlike that one haha.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It was pushed long before Deans. Which is why it actually existed before Deans. When Pulver came in, it came back again. You're the only one spreading opinions and stating them as facts. Or "various sources". I am stating the facts. The facts are a 3rd tier had strong support before Robbie Deans came to Aus. The facts are the ARC was announced in Mid 2006. In 2006 the APC was run between the then 4 Super Rugby sides before the ARC being run in 2007. In 2007 JON became the ARU CEO and canned it, preferring to give money to sydney and brisbane clubs instead. People in the rugby media in the period between the ARC being canned and Pulver announcing the NRC were calling for it: https://greenandgoldrugby.com/australian-rugby-shield/ https://greenandgoldrugby.com/a-proposal-for-australias-third-tier-competition/ https://greenandgoldrugby.com/think-tank-a-new-workable-3rd-tier/ https://greenandgoldrugby.com/the-final-rugby-tier-if-we-come-they-will-build-it/ The facts are: - Australia was looking at a 3rd tier before Deans ever came along - Australia implemented a 3rd tier before Deans ever came along - People in Australian continued to talk about the need for a 3rd tier when it was canned - When the CEO who canned it was replaced, his successor started one within a year - That same successor, one of his first acts was to terminate Deans contract. But sure. Robbie Deans was influential in it...
jeznez
Roar Guru
Toole’s improving nicely. Loved that he openly admits the defensive issues and says he is working on it. (Nawaqanitawase also openly admits he’s working on his D) Ball in hand Toole is superb. Look forward to seeing him grow as a player
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Well the fact is he did give it a public push whether or not you acknowledge facts is not really my problem… but when your argument is “the reason is probably… ” suggests to me you have no fkin idea and are more desparate ro be right than to actually know anything. I know it as fact having heard it from various sources including those involved… you simply making stuff up does not make you right. But I will leave you with your opinions and you can try and convince everyone else of how your opinions are facts. For me to argue with someone who is as deluded as you (your words) enough to think his opinion = fact is a waste of time.. Keep fighting the good fight and making stuff up if that is what your fragile ego needs. As for the ARC… it failed and was pulled after one year. 7 years later a third tier was introduced as the NRC. When Deans cam on board he pushed it to anyone who would listen especially in the positions of influence… the thing didnt get up and running again on its own. The fact you are unaware of these basic facts and are calling others delusional… well thats your style I guess.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Why? Their additions for 2023 were Alex Mafi, Tuaina Taii Tualima, David Feliuai, Monty Ioane, Sam Talakai, Anaru Rangi and Ryan Louwrens. Their notable losses were Rhys Van Nek, James Hanson, Efi Ma'afu, Ross Haylett-Petty, Joe Powell, Matt To'omua, Young Tonumaipea and Jeral Skelton. They also then loss Philip and Leota for effectively the whole season due to injuries incurred with the Wallabies. What reason did you have to expect significant improvement this year?