2015 SEASON PREVIEW: BRUMBIES
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If it wasn’t for the Waratahs breakthrough accomplishment this season, the ACT based franchise would be celebrating their status as the most successful Australian side, reaching the Super Rugby Finals Series in the last two years.
This was while continuing their record of finishing in the top seven every year except on three occasions.
The 2013 runners-up faced a 2014 season with one of the most competitive conferences in Australia in Super Rugby history, and their blistering start to the year ensured they reached the finals and their elimination success against the Chiefs would have been well received – even if the Waratahs 26-8 victory knocked out the two-time champions.
Last year: After round eleven the Brumbies were in pole position, winning seven of their first nine fixtures.
The first up loss against Queensland was put side as the ACT based outfit won four straight against the Force, Hurricanes, Waratahs and Stormers.
The 24-32 defeat to the Rebels wasn’t a shock to the Melbourne faithful, but the two-time Super Rugby winners would quickly recover, notching victories against the Blues, Reds and Chiefs.
The epic twenty point defeat in Christchurch (losing 20-40) would see the Brumbies end the season with a wet sail.
Losing four of their last seven, the Brumbies still qualified for the second stage of the regular campaign.
2015 draw/key matches: A blockbuster against old rivals Queensland opens the season for the two-time champions, followed by a difficult road trip, playing the Chiefs and Rebels away – with the Force arriving in Canberra prior to round four to complete the Brumbies first month.
From there it doesn’t get any easier, with trips to Brisbane and Sydney and a bye rounding out the first seven rounds of the Canberra based franchise’s 2015 campaign.
The Brumbies then host the Cheetahs, travel to Eden Park and then welcome the Rebels, Highlanders and the Waratahs – with round 13 seeing the ACT based outfit travel to the Republic, playing the Stormers and Lions.
In round 15 the two-time winners take a bye, then the Bulls (h), Rebels (a) and Crusaders (h) rounding out Stephen Larkham’s squad’s campaign.
Personnel changes: Over a third of the Brumbies squad will be changed this year, with the likes of Ben Mowen and Pat McCabe no longer part of the playing set up.
While the final list of new recruits is still to be confirmed, the ACT based squad will struggle to replace some of the class that has moved on, so how Stephen Larkham and his coaching team manage affairs in 2015 will be scrutinised.
Key strengths: Under Jake White the Brumbies were dripping with South African influence, but Larkham has managed to promote try scoring potency – with the side scoring 49 tries in 2014, the most since the franchise won their second trophy in 2004.
A general rugby intelligence, once the pride of the rugby world, has been replaced by a grit that saw the Canberra based franchise finish the 2014 season with a match aggregate of 26-24.
How they perform this upcoming campaign against a fiercely competitive Australian Conference will have a major say on their hopes in a World Cup year.
Must be wary of: How ruthless Australia has become, with the Waratahs wearing the crown, the Force rising while the Reds and Rebels are frighteningly dark horse material coming into the new season.
Staring down the challenge that NSW will present will be among the first goals, while performing well against New Zealand franchises will be targeted, in 100 matches against Kiwi teams the Brumbies have claimed just 53 wins overall.
Courtesy of SANZAR
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