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'We've got the game to beat both the Crusaders and Blues': Brumbies confident despite loss
By Ben Smith
The Brumbies looked to have captured a tight 19-18 win when Noah Lolesio slotted his conversion to give the home side the lead with under a minute to go, only to be undone by the Blues last possession.
After working the ball into position in front of the posts, the Blues received a penalty advantage that was unneeded as first five Beauden Barrett stepped up to kick a drop goal and take a 21-19 win.
The last second loss stung for the Brumbies but head coach Dan McKellar is confident he has the squad to top the best of the Kiwi teams based on what he has seen over the last couple of weeks.
"Whilst we've lost both games, we know that we've got the game to beat both the Crusaders and Blues," McKellar said.
"Looks like they will finish top two, so we've got plenty to take out of it.
"We've just got to review this, park it, and move on, I'm just shattered. I thought our effort and attitude deserved better.
The Brumbies made five times as many tackles as the Blues in the first half as they withstood a ton of pressure, only conceding a try in extra time of the first half.
Beauden Barrett scored from a blindside scrum play running into a wide gap from close range which took the lead 8-7 going into the sheds.
"We held them up at least three times in the first half, as I said I couldn't be prouder of our group."
McKellar lamented being on the wrong side of a 16-5 penalty count at home that he described as 'tough to take', but the Brumbies were able to withstand it and were 'twenty seconds away' from a gutsy win.
Captain Allan Alaalatoa praised his side's effort on defence to hold out the Blues for so long under so much pressure defending their own line.
"We would defend for so many phases, and then we will hold them up, and that's a win," captain Allan Alaalatoa said.
"And then we go again and hold them up again, and that's a win.
"I think that whole first half we were just in our D-zone, and they scored one try at the end. It was a huge effort in terms of defence across the whole board."
The Brumbies started with three straight wins over New Zealand sides by beating the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Chiefs but have stumbled over the last two weeks at home to the Crusaders and Blues.
That now leaves them third on the ladder behind the 12-1 Blues and 10-3 Crusaders with one round remaining before the playoffs.
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Latest Comments
@dc0000 Ffs Nige, are you typing with your forehead again?
Go to commentsYes but we don’t want to be anything like the US do we!
I think it works especially in america for those types of days. Of course the general idea is that you spend time together and although watch sport is the exact opposite I’d reckon it would probably be a net positive in the end.
Something that has or should have more meaning is another thing entirely though. Or does the day just not have that much meaning anymore either? Like having a ‘rivalry’ with the other nation you’re celebrating as team mates.. well hello? Maybe it’s a good day for the All Blacks v Kangaroos game? Transtasman version of the black clash?
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