Ex-Queensland hooker Stephen Moore says the Reds’ set piece could be an area for the Brumbies to exploit when the seemingly mismatched Super Rugby sides line-up in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Reds top the ladder and are going from strength to strength following a 17-16 win against the seven-time champion Crusaders on Sunday.
In contrast, the Brumbies sit third last with two wins from 13 games, one point from the bottom, in a year the twice champions would like to forget.
But Moore, who spent 2003-08 at the Reds, saw some opportunities amidst the gloom.
“Aside from the set piece, they really played well out of it,” Moore said of the Reds’ pack against the Crusaders.
While scoring two tries to one, the Reds spent much off the final 15 minutes defending in their own quarter, the Crusaders pushing the home side’s scrum around and poaching a number of line out throws throughout the match.
“They got out of a few situations there really well, which is something they have done well all year.
“That’s an area we thought we improved on last week, our set piece, and hopefully we can do that again on Saturday,” Moore said.
The Brumbies have won their past five matches in Brisbane, but lost to the Reds for the first time in Canberra in March.
Moore said a recent spray from coach Tony Rea has lifted the workrate and intensity of the side,
Rea said his men lacked fight following a home loss to then bottom-placed Lions three rounds ago.
“I thought the last two weeks, in particular, the group has been a lot tougher,” Moore said.
“And we have fought a lot harder to stay in the games.
“If we can do that again, we are a very good chance.”
Fullback Pat McCabe said the blast has had an affect but their inability to score from opportunities kept hampering their chances.
“For a few weeks, he (Rea) has not been able to question our effort or our intensity,” McCabe said.
“It is just that execution which we are still lacking.”
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