Just be better. That’s the message the Brumbies are hammering home this week ahead of their first Australian derby of the season.
Friday night’s match against the Force follows two tight losses to start the season, the Brumbies’ worst start to any season since 1999.
“We've played well but we still haven't come away with anything,” halfback Joe Powell said.
“Everyone's been as positive as you can be but we've got to be better and I think that's the massive message this week, is just be better.”
Rookie halves pairing Powell and Wharenui Hawera have been punching above their weight in the opening fortnight and the former is happy with the way things are progressing, despite their losses.
“I suppose there’s just a bit of inexperience with me and ‘Futs’ (Hawera),” he said
“There’s heaps of talking on the field and...I think we've got ourselves through together so it's been good for both of us.”
That communication comes from another influential voice as well, Hawera said, with Christian Lealiifano contributing throughout games, as the team’s water runner for now.
“Whenever I have any trouble, I can always ask him, he's always there to help me,” he said.
“He's out on the field, giving me advice whenever I need it.
“A lot of the time it's around composure, like in different parts of the field.
“(As) nine and 10 have to be composed and know what we're doing in those parts of the field. Just allow me to remember to stay grounded and control that part of the field.”
On the hunt for their first win, Powell said they could expect some more innovations, like winger James Dargaville’s move to throw a lineout, in a bid to surprise opponents.
“I suppose (we just want to) catch them napping,” he said.
“That was at the very start of the game and they didn't even really see that Dargs was there, so they had no idea what was going on.
“It would be good to see if we can get a few easy points that way.”
The Brumbies host the Force on Friday night at 7:45pm AEDT, LIVE on FOXSPORTS and via radio on RUGBY.com.au.
