1
'Whether they were right or wrong penalties you can't do much about it': Brumbies captain Alaalatoa concerned over penalty count in loss to Reds
Set piece frustrations will motivate Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa as he sets his sights on a Super Rugby AU grand final rematch with the Queensland Reds.
ADVERTISEMENT
The skipper returned from a three-game suspension in Saturday’s 24-22 loss to the Reds at Suncorp Stadium, the hosts rallying from 12-0 down to edge ahead with just three minutes to play.
The result followed a 40-38 Reds win in Canberra earlier this season that flipped the script after the Brumbies had edged them to win the domestic title last year.
The victory ensured the Reds a home grand final on May 8, with the defending champion Brumbies now set to host the semi-final against either the Melbourne Rebels or Western Force once the regular season ends in a fortnight.
Some Jordan Petaia brilliance helped, the winger kicking a 50-22 then soaring for a try as the Reds’ comeback gathered pace.
But the host’s scrum was crucial to first get them back into the contest, James O’Connor’s go-ahead penalty goal coming from a scrum penalty that ultimately sunk the Brumbies.
The 15-8 penalty count against the Brumbies wasn’t missed by coach Dan McKellar or Alaalatoa, the coach voicing his frustrations last year over rival Reds prop Taniela Tupou’s binding technique.
ADVERTISEMENT
On Friday he insinuated that if the Reds’ scrum had earned those penalties, then the Brumbies’ dominant maul should have too.
The captain was annoyed that they had fallen into the Reds’ trap again.
“Well they got penalties for it, whether they were right or wrong penalties you can’t do much about it,” Alaalatoa said of the Reds’ apparent scrum dominance.
“We knew coming in they pride themselves on their scrum and to be honest it delivered for them.
“I’m keen to play them again; we’re so close but we just couldn’t come away in the big moments.
“Yes, we’re sitting here on the losing side but we still have another opportunity.”
The Brumbies’ backrowers did their best to remind their Reds’ opposites there was plenty of talent in Australia, with Rob Valetini, Pete Samu and Tom Cusack winning the early battle.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fraser McReight, Angus Scott-Young and Harry Wilson had the last laugh with some crucial defensive plays, while Cusack (hamstring) and to a lesser extent Samu (neck/shoulder) now both face injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Rebels.
“Valetini’s been outstanding for us, Samu was good and Cusack too before his injury and they’ll compete hard for a long time to come,” McKellar said.
“There’s two good footy teams there (the Reds and Brumbies) that are really challenging each other.
“But we were in a position to win the game and didn’t take those little moments that turn out to be big moments.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
51 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.
10 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.
51 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.
3 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
51 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 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
51 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.
51 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.
51 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.
51 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 comments