'A quality team': Brumbies looking to snap Brisbane hoodoo against rivals Reds
The ACT Brumbies have been a class above their Australian rivals this Super Rugby Pacific season but they will need to snap a serious hoodoo if they are to take down Queensland in round seven.
The Brumbies have not won at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium since 2015 and are riding a six-game losing streak at the venue, a run that includes heartbreaking memories of their 2021 Super Rugby AU grand-final defeat.
But the Brumbies have become a winning machine since that devastating night, victors in nine of their last 10 outings against Australian teams as they have established themselves as the nation's best club side.
ACT coach Stephen Larkham is not expecting an easy ride in the tough Brisbane conditions on Good Friday, as his side look to end their Queensland disappointment against a Reds outfit coming off back-to-back losses.
"It's the rivalry we've got with the Reds that's been steadily building over the last couple of years," he said.
"They're a quality team. They've got a lot of Wallaby players in their 23.
"The humidity, the temperature, the crowd, the travel, it all comes into it.
"We've certainly addressed that at the start of this week but it's not something that makes it any easier for the boys when they get out there. They're going to have to deal with lots of distractions."
The Brumbies' hot form was rewarded with 13 players named in Eddie Jones' recent Wallabies training squad, while the Reds had four.
Both sides have troops who will be determined to play their way into Jones' future plans.
Queensland five-eighth James O'Connor - who has been dropped to the bench for the Brumbies clash - missed out on a first call-up under the new national coach, as did ACT playmaker Noah Lolesio.
Reds' No.15 Jock Campbell, meanwhile, will be out to make a statement against Brumby Tom Wright, one of three fullbacks in Jones' squad as preparations begin in earnest for the Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in France in September.
Larkham said players should not give up on their World Cup dream, adding the squad could easily look very different by the end of the season.
"The best (squad) announcement for a player is really the one at the end of the Super Rugby season," he said.
"It's an honour and a privilege for the guys who got announced this time around, but there is a long way to go."
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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