The ‘Tahs look as likely as they ever have. They ooze Rugby confidence because they have built on substance rather than flash and that tells us they are in with a chance. Can’t ask for more than that. If the ‘Tahs do go down it won’t be for lack of ticker. Any lessons learned will carry over to the upcoming tests. Nothing but positives for Rugby in Oz and we can only hope that the ARU are at the forefront on capitalising on this purple patch.

If anyone feels confident on either side of the ditch then “tell’em they’re dreaming” – does sport get any better?

Re: Todd, thinking the same thing earlier, but slow starts are slow starts and the fans weren’t happy. In his playing days he was my choice for any captaincy.

Been a while for you ‘Tahs fans hey BBB, good luck.

What the ‘Tahs demonstrated last night was respect. They didn’t run on with a game plan except to play well, concentrate on doing the little things well, deal with the situation as it develops and to rely on their team mates to play their part just as well. A definition of teamwork. We all know the Brumbies have a deserved pedigree and as Rugby fans we can be thankful that neither team intended to impose a failed ‘methôde’ and came instead, to play fast, skilful, intense, Rugby. The game of Rugby just went up a notch in Oz. The deep Rugby minds ‘across the ditch’ will have seen that and will know that something has clicked in our some of our coaching ranks is being transferred to the players.

The way the Brumbies fans stayed behind and how their team responded to them says how much they appreciated the effort, despite losing. A thoroughly enjoyable game played with great spirit, the true essence of a ‘fair go’, and we won a lot of fans. Now we must work just as hard to keep them.

Next week, close, the players know each other very well despite not meeting this year so unless the celebrations carry on too long (highly unlikely) it should be a corker of a game.

If both teams play to their potential then we may not have the dour game we usually expect from Oz home derbies.

Pretty confident the ‘Tahs are up for it as they have played consistently for the last 8 rounds whereas :-
the Brums are still flirting with ‘Jake Ball’ and give every impression that is their preferred ‘game plan’ giving it away with extreme reluctance. Will they be fit enough to mix it up for the eighty? Have they practised ‘using up’ players’ energy till a replacement is needed? All doubts that have no answers from this season.

All I want from this round is a Du Plessis sent off for foul play, both would be nice, then we will know the Rugby Gods are not on an extended vacation.

🙂

Yeah, but the point is they are specially crafted mortals given god-like powers (and the holy whistle, with optional backpack) and for that, in the hope of redemption and a place at the winners table we will worship them and even babysit or help then move house to achieve the status as ‘Victor’.

“Its not life and death, it is much more important than that”, Will Rogers.

SBO warning:
Any Rugby ref has no choice but to officiate according to the laws of the game.
Should they be required to make a decision which arguably affects the outcome of the game, the responsibility entirely rests on the attitude and respect the players have for those laws.

Any attempt to blame the refs indicates either;
the writer never played the game, or if they did, then
not to any level where they were able to think beyond their own actions, i.e. lightweights.

Yes, that’s you Squirrel, leave our refs alone, ‘Sir’ is always right, no more to say.

Agreed, James, though it is more likely ‘will’ rather than aggression, they impose their will and have the record to back it up, i.e. bonus points.

If Bernie could have learned anything it is there is no safe margin against any Kiwi team, not then, now or ever. Hope the message gets through to the players. That message has been received by the ‘Tahs, they understand as a unit that leaving anything on the pitch will probably be diluted by tears.

Last Saturday the Brumbies got down to business and played Rugby, ball in hand, building phases, probing, testing and it paid off.
However they went off the boil with a the lead and the Chiefs also got down to what they do best, almost pulled it off too.
The Brumbies were lucky, despite Christian’s kicking woes. Was it fitness or was it mental weakness that nearly cost them the game?
The ‘Tahs are a different kettle of fish. Since about round 8 they have discovered some serious mojo, prodigious self-belief based on established combinations and a genuine team spirit. They are entertaining because they have that collective mindset and it will take some seriously good Rugby to defeat them.
The next two weeks should see some bloody good Rugby.

In Natal, the Sharks were as usual, ponderous, set-piece reliant and no longer the threat they have been now the pace and stakes have been raised. The danger of a Grand Final in the RSA has lessened. It wouldn’t surprise me if some front the judiciary this week, Jourdaan on Sopoaga (24m) was disturbing to watch, Bismarck on Malakai (27m) equally so. Why Jaco did not recommend a card for the first was beyond me, I thought a red would have been appropriate. Kiwis play a hard but clean game, so they could not have caused any retaliation and the action was an attack on the cruciates. This sort of clinical dismemberment does not belong on a Rugby pitch. The Highlanders showed great spirit in the face of these bully-boy tactics and will remember the spirit of this game. So will the rest of us. C’mon the ‘Saders.

That’s the point, this should now be taken up by the SH Unions who have a stable platform and opportunity to think of the bigger picture. Best example, the Pumas. Not just Marquee players, makes sense to me anyway.

Maybe the next Contemponi et. al. will do a two tear stint with Canterbury… All Super franchises should be in the mix imho.

But, I suspect, not with a view to assist promoting the player’s home union but more likely just getting cannon fodder (as it were) which is the unhelpful intent.

Identifying, promoting ‘minnow’ players whose promise needs time with a more professional environment to flourish when that would not happen within their existing structures. Giving them opportunities within the pro franchises can only help the bigger picture.

In the progression from initial kick-off to having a competitive national team there are many strategies and opportunities. The IRB permanently offers itself into the mix supporting each step up. Clubs will always be the grassroots and the idea of always wearing your club’s socks no matter what level the game appeals to the romantic in me. Refs may have another opinion!

Provincial sides should be in the mix proactively, offering spots to promising players from the minnow nations, not just potential game changers like Michalak, Cipriani, but interest-generating players like Shota, and Tanaka will help to promote the home game’s profile. I know some are not in favour of it but at its core our game is an inclusive one, at the forefront of ridding the world of racism and the importance of nationalism. There it has a proven track record whether it is intentional or not.

Do the Saffas really want to play Rep Rugby out of season? Their home games will have to be in climate controlled stadia. Cannot possibly annexe Forsyth-Barr with the size of their army. Though creating the province Far-East Natal does have a certain ring to it, better than Southland. Go the mighty FENs.
The travel problems of Super Rugby are now largely under control, are largely equal for every club.
The standard of Super Rugby is regarded as second only to test quality.
Asia is probably two, three or more generations away from providing bodies large enough, club systems providing training good enough, to support an inclusion into a provincial competition of this quality.
Only recalcitrant stupidity will see the model being changed, given the current facts.

To improve it all we have to do is link the surname Du Plessis, first name Jannie, and shoulder charge in the minds of our refs.

Generally optimistic about our chances in TRC. Would bench Simmons as he has discovered a willingness to give silly penalties so would go with Skelton and Jones as locks. Fardy has genuine leadership skills, Skelton/Jones can lift him higher than he would prefer if needed. Happy with White except for the mouth which was more silent in game 3 so maybe he has realised the downside to lip. Matt is solid in his position and don’t believe Kuridrani ever got a really good chance to showcase himself.

What I do think is different is this side looks like it is trying to play smarter, trusting their on-field decision-making more which is vitally important.
If they spend more time on close contact ball skills (which barely rates a pass mark at the moment) they may get to trust in their ability to con-fuddle (made it up) the big forwards we are going to deal with shortly. Simple drills like training them to keep their hands in a catching position whenever in close support until they join the ruck or maul will see those ‘miracle’ or squibbed balls go to hand and spread the opposition support.
Our ruck support will be tested more too so anyone who tends to risk getting isolated should be benched and not a starter (of the entire squad only Beale comes to mind).
We still tackle too high and that will be exploited by the big shoulders of the ABs and Boks, first tackler should always be the momentum stopper as this allows either a support tackler or quick rucks.
There was a noticeable lack of pilfering against the French which is Rugby 101. Front rowers need to regard that as their major tactical contribution in the game.

Thinking on their feet and basic skills should have been laid down in the memory banks years ago, so we are still a Work in Progress. The ABs and Boks have not reloaded (just Willy and Malakai) so we mostly know what we are in for and that is our only advantage.

If only they had been good with the ball in hand, yep, when it became time to play Rugby they looked underdone.
Couldn’t help feeling like there were cliques and other internal rubbish.

Leonard Cohen, a Rugby fan?

Bit hopeful West,

If you think the French offered anything like what our TRC opponents have in store then we were watching two different games. Just the level of sustained pressure or resistance is going to go up more than a few notches, the speed is going to go up and this Wallaby squad had better set about forgetting those games, and in particular, game two.

We can agree though, there is a lot of promise and depth. Also there is a ‘team’ feel about this squad which, if true, will be very helpful.

ps: throughout the series Fox had sound bites of Link doing his executive captaincy bit, but the question is, who was he talking to and why was he talking as if he had some immediate impact? Further to that, why is he playing up to the cameras, anybody who knows this game is aware that a coaches role is strictly limited from the sidelines. Just makes no sense to try and foster anything like the belief in a (use WFF announcer voice here) ‘SuperCoach’ when in this game it is building the decision and communication quality and structures within the team that can be the deal breaker.

A Waratah support piece without any regard for any other Super team, or the Wallabies chances. I had promised myself never to read his stuff, maybe its an annual reminder!

Very good point Brando. One of New Zealand’s greatest strengths has been the quality of coaching all the way down the ranks. Start them in good habits and they can only build their own game around that. This is also true for many other Unions but in Oz with all our different codes and loyalties it is harder. Many times we watch our Wallabies go out and try to win playing some hybrid style, especially early in a campaign, and it fails. Basics folks, a solid application of the fundamentals (fitness, skills, techniques) puts any team in a position to win games.

On your first para, I hope that is all it was, don’t agree with the exercise but it could have been possible. Building a shut out does take some serious commitment. However, the game has another master and that is we have to generate income. If the fickle Joe Public doesn’t choose to be bored then the game, and the ARU is the loser. Ways to skin a cat… Strings to a bow…

That comment was directed at Link and the game plan, not doubting the players one little bit.

Your choice, your loss. Thanks also for the heads up.

Nico, We have a duty to entertain our supporters and we have a duty to create a winning culture. Bigger picture items that were not taken care of in the lead up to that game. That is not ‘solid preparation waiting for fleeting opportunity’. Agreed, other teams will not allow us to indulge in these ‘do just enough’ displays. They also suck the spirit out of the boys who want to be part of building an ‘irresistible force’ team ethos.

So I stand by the comments because that game demonstrated a lack of intestinal fortitude when there is a huge mountain coming up.

Inconsistency Tane, it sends no message but lack of conviction, that is scary.