Brumbies \"not scared\" of tough semi-final trip to Argentina

Sat, Jun 22, 2019, 3:59 PM
Iain Payten
by Iain Payten
Rory Arnold takes a lineout. Photo: Stu Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au
Rory Arnold takes a lineout. Photo: Stu Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au

Armed with a better-than-most record on the road - even in finals - the Brumbies won’t be scared by the challenge of playing a semi-final in Argentina later this week.

That was the verdict of Brumbies coach Dan McKellar after booking a clash with with the Jaguares in Buenos Aires at 9am on Saturday morning (AEST). 


Normally such a trip would be immensely daunting but if there is any team that is not rattled by hitting road to play a final, it’s the Brumbies. 

Indeed, they almost relish it. 

In 2013 they beat the Bulls in Pretoria in a semi-final and they also beat the Stormers in Cape Town in the 2015 quarters.

Since that win, they’ve won four from six in South Africa and this year only just lost 20-15 to the Jaguares in BA after a win over the Stormers a week earlier in CT.

"You have to embrace it,” McKellar said.

'Finals footy is tough and travel is part of Super Rugby. It’s not new to us, it won’t scare us. We obviously just limit our training time, focus on recovery and I think that’s one thing we did really well on the road a couple of months ago. It’ll be the same.

"It’s a bit easier than going via Cape Town. It will still have it’s challenges. But we love getting on the road and if we’re on the road then so be it.

"We have always toured well, I dunno. It is what it is. We won’t be looking at the travel as a negative or something that’s going to be an excuse for us. We will embrace it and give it a crack.”

The Brumbies found a backer in the form of Sharks coach Robert Du Preez, who said the ACT side had the muscle to take down the “beatable” Jaguares.

"I don’t think (travel) will be a problem,” Du Preez said. 

"They are definitely one team who can match them up front and that’s what they’ll have to do to be any chance of beating them. And they’re certainly beatable.”

McKellar said if the Brumbies don’t turn up ready for a dog-fight, they’ll get beaten.

"They’re a very physical side, obviously Tomas (Cubelli) is there and he’s dangerous. They’re a team that defends well, play physical and take their opportunities,” he said.

"We learned a lot up there a few weeks back. So we will take those things on board and make sure we’re better. Our forwards are playing well, as are our backs, so our game is in good shape. 

"But there is certainly going to be a focus on our physicality and our intent up there because if you don’t produce that, you won’t beat them."

 

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