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Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga'a on brink of unique record
By Online Editors
The Brumbies will arrive in Brisbane on Sunday on the brink of some quirky history and with a point to prove against the Reds.
Another try to hooker Folau Fainga’a would make it a club-first six consecutive matches with a five-pointer - something that only Lions star Malcolm Marx has achieved in Super Rugby.
The benefactor of a highly effective rolling maul, Fainga'a's competition-best six tries in five games this season is an indication of how well the Brumbies' set piece has fared.
But it isn't lost on the Brumbies that, under second-year coach Brad Thorn, the Reds have are challenging to take that mantle.
"Last year (after they played) Brad spoke a lot about us setting the benchmark of set piece and their desire to knock us off the perch," Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.
"That irked us a bit so we'll be going up looking to make sure our scrum, lineout and maul continues to have the dominance it's had over the first couple of weeks."
McKellar has called on former Reds captain James Slipper to meet that challenge, naming him to start ahead of Wallabies prop Scott Sio at prop.
Taniela Tupou returns for the Reds from an enforced rest, creating a scrum battle that has McKellar salivating.
"She won't be one-way traffic there. We're ramped up for a real good scrum contest," he said.
"I'm sure with Thorny and Ryno (assistant Peter Ryan) leading the charge it'll be nice and physical."
Reds attack coach Jim McKay knows where the game will be won or lost.
"We've identified it as a strength of theirs," he said of the rolling maul.
"We've planned how we can counter that and it's how you manage the game (to deny them opportunities to execute it)."
The Brumbies will be without Wallabies flanker David Pocock (calf) and forward Alan Alaalatoa (wrist) will miss the clash, while Bryce Hegarty (ribs) returns for Queensland.
AAP
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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