Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Brumbies star eager to right Super Rugby Trans-Tasman wrongs against Chiefs

By AAP
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Australia’s top-ranked Super Rugby Pacific side, the Brumbies, have some unfinished business in New Zealand starting with the Chiefs on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Brumbies have won their last two against Kiwi opposition, beating the Highlanders in Melbourne and then the Hurricanes in Canberra, to sit second overall on the competition ladder.

But last year, like the four other Australian teams, the Brumbies struggled on New Zealand soil.

They lost all three games there and only managed one victory from two games in Canberra, with a two-point win over the Hurricanes their best result.

Video Spacer

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 12

Video Spacer

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 12

Their Wallabies winger Tom Wright said last year’s results had stung the team.

“Without making it about last year there’s definitely a bit of a burning sensation for a few of us,” Wright said on Tuesday in Canberra.

“We went over there last year and got touched up a little bit so definitely looking to make amends on what happened then so it’s a good opportunity for us.”

The Chiefs were 51-27 winners against the Waratahs during Super Round while they edged Queensland by two points in an ugly affair last weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

They sit fourth on the table and will fancy their chances against the Brumbies back home at FMG Stadium in Waikato.

Wright said his team had taken lessons from the New Zealanders to try beat them at their own game.

“It’s a little bit of tempo,” he said when asked what changes the Brumbies had made in the last 12 months to prepare for the Kiwi sides.

“On the weekend, we looked good when we played off the cuff and Whitey (Nic White) and Loners (Ryan Lonergan) were jumping out and looking threatening around the ruck.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We’re trying to play in and out of structure … and take opportunities around the middle part of the field where the Kiwis have been really good.

“Tip our hat to them – we took a few things from stuff they do and it’s working for us.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Storm clouds gather over Biarritz with owner poised to bail out Storm clouds gather over Biarritz with owner poised to bail out
Search