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'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.
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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”.
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“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.
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“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
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
4 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
4 Go to comments