'Super Rugby's version of the NRL's Warriors': Brumbies pay tribute to stranded Melbourne Rebels
The Brumbies say they’re indebted to the Melbourne Rebels for enabling the smooth, if unusual, take-off of the new Super Rugby AU competition.
The Brumbies shook off some rust to preserve their unbeaten record against Australian opposition in 2020 with a 31-23 victory over the Rebels on Saturday night to confirm their favouritism in the 12-week competition.
While their trademark driving maul once again proved the difference, with three of the Brumbies’ five tries coming from the potent play, the hosts saved their best work for the post-match press conference.
Forced to relocate to Canberra nine days ago after a major spike in coronavirus cases in Melbourne, the Rebels have become Super Rugby’s version of the NRL’s Warriors, indefinitely stranded and locked out of their state away from family.
“I think they do know the sacrifices they’re making and I think everyone involved in this comp thanks them,” Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa said.
“And also the Western Force and the sacrifices they’re making to be away from their families to make this comp run.”
Rebels skipper Dane Haylett-Petty was putting on a brave face, claiming he and teammates just had to “get on with the job”.
“Who knows what will happen in the future and how long we’ll be on the road for but at the moment we’re just enjoying being back playing footy,” he said.
But coach Dave Wessels recognised the testing times for the Rebels and was unsure how long his players could sustain such a nomadic existence.
“The challenge is there for probably those guys who have kids,” Wessels said.
“That’s fine for probably two or three or four weeks but, if it’s going to be until the end of the comp, then we’re just trying to figure out a way for people to get connected to their kids in particular.
“But there’s also just a realism among the team that there’s a lot of people out there who are going through much tougher things than we are so the boys are pretty level-headed about it.
“To be honest, I think they’ve been excellent about it.
“They’ve really ripped into the training that we have been allowed to do.”
Unbeaten in 3 games against Aussie opposition before the suspension of the regular Super Rugby competition in March, the Brumbies’ latest victory confirms their favouritism for the revamped, smash-and-grab domestic tournament.https://t.co/xhMuK02dKh
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 4, 2020
The Rebels’ round-two ‘home’ game against the Queensland Reds on Friday night is slated for Brookvale Oval but even Wessels was uncertain when they’d leave Canberra for Sydney.
As in the Reds’ hoodoo-busting 32-26 win over the NSW Waratahs in Brisbane on Friday night, only 1500 fans were allowed into GIO Stadium amid ongoing social distancing restrictions.
But the players still felt the Super Rugby intensity.
“The physicality was certainly there. The Brumbies probably battered us a bit there in the first half,” Haylett-Petty said.
The Reds take on the Rebels after their first win over the Waratahs in seven years, while the Tahs host the Force on Saturday at the SCG.
The Brumbies have a round-two bye.
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
37 Go to comments