Brumbies vs Highlanders: Super Rugby live scores, blog

No they weren’t. They had a falling defensive line that peaked at last feet.

Same old same old Dean. Aus Rugby could have all the 'Professional foul soccer coaches' on the planet, it wouldn't change the end results. Super Rugby starts with all the optimism and confidence in the world about the Aussie sides and less than a month in the excuses and carping about the refs dudding the Aus sides comes out. The Aussie sides are playing to their 'ability' and that is the problem. Basic skills are poor and everything else stems out of that. I must say though the Reds did move the ball well at times and generally held on to the ball well, pleasing to see.

Yep, standard fare. Nobody... but nobody... knows how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory quite like the Blues. :crying:

And yet, less than a year ago, Strayan rugby fans were bleating about the number of yellow cards being handed out and forecasting that the red card is responsible for killing the game world wide. There's really very little to admire about Australian rugby these days.

A few people who have gone into business with Gregan might disagree.

Except he has now been cited…..he couldn’t hit the shoulder, another Highlanders players arm was draped over it. It was a straight hit to the head, automatic red card under current laws. That one decision didn’t cost us the game, we should have managed the last couple of minutes better. However, under current laws, that was a red card, that changes how a side navigates the rest of the game. 15 on 14, take the penalty shot or go for the corner and maul again? Makes a massive difference.

I didn’t say they weren’t... but a game should never be decided on who is best at being offside.

I thought he was the Saffa refs instructor ..

The TMO got it right - not enough evidence to change decision - was shoulder to shoulder, high but not sufficient evidence to say shoulder to head.. simple really..

Berry does need training - but not in how to favour the Brumbies, he did that very very well for 73 minutes...

Brumbies were off side all night too...

The referee was all for Brumbies for first 73 minutes then thought he better adjust the penalty count so he didn't look too bad..

Otago looked better for having a run last week to get some rust out of the engine and Frizell added some class to the pack. Lolesio didn't have the happiest night, starting with an awful kick straight to an Otago player and having a clearing kick charged down for a try. However, I liked that he seemed to be able to just get on with things and he threw some good passes, despite two near intercepts in the first half. Not surprisingly, he is a work in progress but his temperament appeals and he seems to have most of the tools to play his position. Both sides, being intelligent, played the ref when it came to offside and the ruck generally. I thought Otago managed the ruck a little better. I don't think the ref had any real bearing on the result. The yellow/red card was one of those calls that go either way. Looked more red than yellow to me but you will see worse not get red and less culpable get red. Winding the clock down for 90 secs is a big risk. Kicking for touch also involved risk. The Brumbies were in the wrong part of the field given the time, weather and the score. They were there because of a ruck penalty that may have been on the harsh side but where the penalty was given away, the counter rucking was probably a risky proposition, given the ref had pinged them at the ruck a few times in the half already. I enjoyed the game; given the conditions both sides played pretty well and credit to Otago for being able to stay in touch and take their chances, on the road and in steamy conditions that were much warmer than they'd be used to - it is sapping if you aren't used to it. After last weeks drubbing that was a good effort in itself. Brumbies managed a disrupted preparation reasonably well. Not a happy weekend for Oz rugby. Game management still seems to be an issue.

Yeah, they had a shocker against the Paramount Australian team last week .., oh wait

Yeah, they definitely should have played basketball rugby on a night where it poured with rain and they were playing on a soapy sponge. Great analysis.

Looking back on the game from the day after as a Brumbies fan, I’m much less disappointed than I was last night. The Brumbies played well enough to win, but not well enough to get clear of the more random elements you get in every game that can even them. Take those out (a charge down try, a frustrating decision from the ref at the end), and you see a game where the Brumbies came with a plan and executed it. They didn’t do so well enough to overcome the bounce of the ball elements of the game, but they did do what they came to.

Another big week for Brave Aussie Rugby. Rennie must be getting excited. Nick was trying to be a legend, but the Brumbies had too many talking and nobody listening at end. Aalatola was buggered and could hardly talk. I suggest the Turkish Armies system ; everyone is ranked right down to the last two.

Some telling moments. Firstly, Noah"s clearance kick was terrible resulting in 7 points (I think). Secondly, McCaffrey giving away 4 penalties at games end. Thirdly, Sio missed that tackle resulting in the final try and the game. Fourthly, AlAA's game management in the final 5 or 6 minutes left a lot to be desired.

Stop embarrassing yourselves, appears some bloggers want Kiwi teams to field only 14 men against us, even with a yellow the Brums made little progress, the refs are only human and the yellow was a very considered opinion. Three tries rumbled in by 12 men from 5 metres, to win boring is bad, to lose boring is horrible. Well named, the one trick ponies.

Case in point Hong Kong 2010. Beaver kicked long, JOC scored.