If the Brumbies go deep in to the Super Rugby finals this season, they might just have the Queensland Reds to thank.
The ACT franchise sits on top of the Australian Super Rugby conference with two matches to go, all but assured of a home quarter-final spot.
A win this weekend in a high-stakes derby against the Waratahs would equal their longest run of victories since 2007.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made two changes to his starting XV for the derby, with Rob Valetini and Andy Muirhead coming into the starting team.
Muirhead replaces Henry Speight (calf) while Valetini starts in place of Jahrome Brown.
McKellar said their run of success could be traced back to a round six defeat at the Reds’ hands.
The Brumbies have lost just two matches since that 36-14 defeat in Brisbane, going down to the Crusaders in round eight and losing to the Jaguares in round 11.
That Queensland loss was a major wake-up call for the Brumbies that they won’t soon forget.
“The Reds game led into a bye week so we probably had a two-hour review in here and it wasn't an honesty session or anything like that,” McKellar said.
“We just asked the group a few questions in and around preparation and individual prep and how our focus was going into that game and we were all honest and upfront and understood that we needed to shift a couple of things, just a couple of areas around training standards.
“They weren't massively off but at this level, if they're slightly off you'll get hurt and they were and we addressed that.”
The Brumbies have proved their multi-dimensional qualities in the back half of the season, with their backline stepping up to match their well-established set piece.
McKellar said he felt the side had really honed its versatility as the season developed.
“We've just got the balance right in our game and we understand that set piece has always been a strong area for us as a club - Lineout, scrum and maul - so we know that we can go to that if we need to go to it,” he said.
“We also know now that the changes that we've made in our game over the last couple of years, that we've got more to our game than just set piece.
“We've got an attitude in and around defence where we want to get excited to get the ball back and then when we get the ball back we get it in the hands of (Henry) Speight, (Tevita) Kuridrani, (Tom) Banks, (Irae) Simone, those sorts of guys.
“That's probably been the change. We've got good balance and understand that we don't just have one way or one plan to win a game of footy.”
It was a kick-heavy game that the Waratahs used to get the better of the Rebels in Melbourne last weekend and McKellar said he was expecting much of the same on Saturday night.
NSW sits second in the competition for kicks in play, sitting behind the Jaguares in that category.
”They kick a lot,” he said.
“I think they're second in the comp for kicks - they kicked a lot against the Rebels on a pretty greasy surface down in Melbourne.
“From what I hear about the new stadium at Parramatta it's pretty slippery.
“I think they'll kick long as well as kicks in behind.”
There’ll be plenty of eyes on the battle at fullback between Tom Banks and Kurtley Beale, who has rediscovered his best form since moving to no. 15.
While Banks receives plenty of plaudits for his finishing, McKellar said it was his work on the other side of the ball that had improved the most this season.
“He's playing well, Tommy, and I think Tommy gets a lot of wraps when he's scoring tries and that sort of thing but for me he's, the strength of his game this year, is his ability to clean up kicks in the back field, his kicking for the line to allow us to maul, some of his defensive work,
“I think that's been a real area that he's improved as well. We all know he can attack but he's in a good place.”
The Brumbies take on the Waratahs on Saturday June 8 at Bankwest Stadium, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
TEAM
Brumbies to face Waratahs
1. James Slipper
2. Folau Fainga’a
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Rory Arnold
5. Sam Carter
6. Rob Valetini
7. Tom Cusack
8. Pete Samu
9. Joe Powell
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Toni Pulu
12. Irae Simone
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Andy Muirhead
15. Tom Banks
Reserves
16. Connal Mcinerney
17. Scott Sio
18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin
19. Darcy Swain
20. Lachlan Mccaffrey
21. Jahrome Brown
22. Matt Lucas
23. Tom Wright
