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'I hope it's minus four tomorrow and raining': Brumbies captain's warning to Highlanders ahead of crucial clash

By AAP
(Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP via Getty Images)

The Highlanders should brace for a frosty reception as the Brumbies plot to eliminate New Zealand’s unbeaten high-flyers from the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title race on Friday night.

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The Highlanders enter the last-round fixture in second spot and on track for a place in next week’s grand final.

But the Hurricanes and Super Rugby Aotearoa champions the Crusaders are ready to cash in on a Highlanders slip-up at GIO Stadium.

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Chasing back-to-back wins over Kiwi opposition for the first time since 2014 after taking down the Chiefs last week, the Brumbies are revelling in sub-zero temperatures in Canberra and are hoping for more of the same for the Highlanders.

“If it’s cold for us, then it’s definitely colder for them,” skipper Allan Alaalatoa said after Thursday’s captain’s run.

“We’ve trained in these conditions during the week and we’re prepared for it. I hope it’s minus four tomorrow and raining.”

After three straight defeats, the Brumbies found the key to toppling New Zealand outfits with a gritty 12-10 victory over the Hurricanes.

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It was only the second win from 20 games for an Australian team this tournament, but the Brumbies are intent on backing it up.

“We showed last week that when we dig our heels in and we have the opportunity to play the sort of footy that we know we can do, we can stick it with the best of them,” Wallabies winger Tom Wright said after inking a two-year contract extension with the Brumbies on Thursday.

“So ideally we put on another strong defensive effort tomorrow night and give ourselves our best shot.”

The Highlanders have racked up 101 points in their past two wins over the Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs.

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Alaalatoa says the onus is on the Brumbies pack to deny the Highlanders as much possession as possible.

“The Highlanders are a great team who pride themselves on their set piece and they’ve been very dominant there, not only in the Trans-Tasman (competition) but also in the Super Rugby Aotearoa as well,” the Wallabies prop said.

“So we definitely know that we’ve got to match them up front.

“They’ve not only got one of the best lineout drives but their scrum is also dominant as well.

“We’re also a team that relies on our set piece, our forwards as well.”

The Queensland Reds, also playing a party pooper role, face the Hurricanes in Friday night’s other game in Wellington.

Victory for the Reds, the only other Australian team to boast a win in the competition, would cruel the Hurricanes’ finals chances.

The NSW Waratahs’ hopes of ending their record 12-game losing streak took another blow on Thursday, with scans confirming halfback and captain Jake Gordon will be sidelined for up to eight weeks with a knee injury.

The setback also rules Gordon out of the Wallabies’ three-test series with France.

The Waratahs play the Chiefs on Saturday in Sydney.

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 6 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.

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