Brumbies keeping their heads

Fri, Mar 4, 2016, 10:00 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
The Brumbies are staying grounded despite their 2-0 start to the year. Photo: Getty Images
The Brumbies are staying grounded despite their 2-0 start to the year. Photo: Getty Images

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham won’t be counting his proverbial chickens after a big win over the Waratahs on Friday night.

Larkham was quick to hose down suggestions that the Brumbies had taken a dominant win over the Waratahs, after a scrappy match with their northern rivals.

“I wouldn’t call tonight comprehensive,” he said.

“This week was a lot harder, it was a big battle out there started with the forwards.

“The challenge in that line out was a lot greater this week than it was last week.

And this is what you’re going to find throughout the season - There’s going to be various strengths of opposition teams and we’re certainly not getting ahead of ourselves.”

The Australian Conference leaders showed their versatility in the gritty win, a stark contrast to their try blitz against the Hurricanes, which Larkham described as their best performance yet.

“The game got away from the Hurricanes last week but it’s not always going to be like that,” he said.

“The boys probably waned a little bit of confidence through that second half but they brought that back well.

“I was really impressed with just sticking to their guns.

“We found a way to win tonight and in the end it was a good little victory that blew  out with that try in the end.”

The Brumbies scrum proved a force against the Waratahs, reinforcing the importance of their two front row re-signings this week.

Brumbies co-captain Stephen Moore praised his forward pack for their hard work, speaking post-match.

“I think any time you get a good result out of your scrum as a tight forward it’s very pleasing and tonight we worked hard in that area,” he said.

“The guys that came on really lifted us again in the scrum and I think that’s been the case for a while.

“I think the depth in the front row has been really strong and that’s something we’ve worked hard on.

“It’s a week to week proposition the scrum and the set piece in general.

“Our lineout was bit sloppy, I thought they put us under a bit of pressure there so that’s something we need to work on.”

The Brumbies travel to Perth next week to take on the Force, before a trip to South Africa.

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