1
The Eden Park hoodoo the Brumbies must break to make Super Rugby Pacific final
By AAP
Just what does it take to win at Eden Park?
Perhaps the Brumbies should ask James Slipper that question ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the table-topping Blues, because their veteran prop is among the rare few who have tasted victory at the famous New Zealand rugby stronghold.
He and his Queensland Reds teammates pulled off that accomplishment in 2012, a year before the Brumbies had their last win at Eden Park, a 20-13 triumph.
Scrumhalf Nic White, who'll head back there with the Brumbies this weekend, scored a try in that win, but victory there has eluded the Canberra-based team in three games since.
Slipper pointed out a number of current Brumbies hadn't played many - if any - matches there, and he felt they would head to Auckland full of excitement.
"There's players like myself who've been around a while and we haven't got the best track record," Slipper told reporters.
"But with the players coming through now, they haven't had the opportunity to play there ... they're licking their lips at a chance to play there.
"It's a great stadium with great fans, so they're excited."
It's that sort of fearless energy that has Brumbies' fans dreaming of a grand final berth, although it would take defying their 3-18 record in NZ since their last win at Eden Park.
Slipper said their recent 21-19 loss to the Blues after a late Beauden Barrett drop goal showed they were learning how to take it up to the competition's best.
"We played well that game ... we win one more breakdown, we win the game," he said.
"But you can pick apart games from the first minute to the last one and there's always areas that you're going to pick up and want to do better ... we were happy, we're just going to do it for a longer period this week.
"They're huge.There's plenty of All Blacks in their pack, so it's going to be a tough challenge but one we're excited for."
The Brumbies were seeking to have Wallabies centre Len Ikitau available for the semi, challenging his red card for a high shot in their quarter-final win against the Hurricanes at a SANZAR judicial hearing on Tuesday night..
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
Totally agree, and with the Greenwood comment you have hit the nail on the head, England have never managed to replace Greenwood.
And although it's a simple analogy if you look at today's England side, how many of them would make a combined world xv?.
As you allude to, they are I'm afraid mediocre.
Go to commentsDr Hope love spell, you just fixed my relationship. We have been fighting every day and you’ve just fixed it and I cannot thank you enough. Thank you Dr Hope for saving my broken relationship and my boyfriend is back to me. If you have any problem in marriage/relationship. contact him and i guarantee you that he will help you. Here’s his contact: Email him at: marriagehelper91@gmail.com /WhatsApp him: +2349137446738 Thank you Dr you're the most wonderful spiritual Dr I have ever seen.
Go to comments