The Brumbies and Folau Faingaa kept rolling at home and the cards kept coming too.
What else are we talking about?
WALLABIES NEED A ROLL ON
It’s often said about the Brumbies rolling maul: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Forget that.
As far as the Brumbies rolling maul goes, if it ain’t broke as much as the Canberra men have got it working, there should be a plan to get that special sauce higher up the food chain.
It’s a mystery why the Wallabies’ rolling maul has not been a go-to force in the last 6-7 years, given the efficient Brumbies have been almost unstoppable using the tactic in the same time.
Perhaps it’s a philosophy thing, perhaps it’s coaching, perhaps it’s personnel.
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It shouldn’t be the last, given there are Wallabies throughout the Brumbies pack.
It definitely shouldn’t be the first. Points are points and wins are wins.
So if it is just a matter of technical coaching, why not go down to Canberra and sign up Dan McKellar and Laurie Fisher as specialist maul coaches for the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign?
Indeed, how can you not?
FOLAU FIRING
The fact Folau Faingaa is doing his job as a maul tailgunner – and sitting on top of the tryscorer tally – is all good.
But for Michael Cheika and the Wallabies selection panel, the most pleasing thing will be the sight of Faingaa clocking up a very sold 80-minute shift.
The Brumbies are battling a hooker injury crisis but Faingaa’s fitness wasn’t troubled; he was still carrying deep in the game and the Brumbies held front row dominance all night.
Only a few weeks ago Cheika said on national TV Faingaa needed to trim down and get in better nick.
The challenge was heard, it seems.
CARDS ARE GOOD
Bear with me. Yes, the impact of many yellow and red cards in a single game can majorly impact the game and spectacle.
But don’t blame the refs, blame the players.
It’s rare a referee gets a card outrageously wrong – mostly they are for penalty accumulation in the red zone, or for shoulders hitting chins in tackles, or for assorted cynical tactics.
All of those things can be avoided pretty easily by players, but let’s be honest, many times there is a line players and coaches deliberately want straddled.
There have been legitimate complaints for years about the creeping number of cynical fouls in rugby, and the tools the referees have to scrub them out are penalties and then cards.
The sight of them being used can be a good thing.
BRUMBIES RUN HOME
The Brumbies have positioned themselves well for a run at the Australian conference title.
Not only are they now equal with the Rebels on 24 points, but the Canberra men have arguably the best road home in the remaining six rounds.
The Brumbies have another two games at home coming up – three of their last five are at home – and there are not trips outside Australia remaining. And they have a bye.
The Rebels have a home game run now but have to face the Crusaders and Chiefs, and the Waratahs have to deal with the African road trip.
The Reds have three more home games but some tricky opponents too.
CHRISTIAN VALUES
Not only should Christian Lealiifano’s name be mentioned more often in Wallabies no.10 debate, but the veteran pivot should be THE re-signing priority in Canberra.
Lealiifano is off contract at the end of the year and said during the week he is torn about his future. He is in demand in Europe and Japan, and understandably so.
Goal-kicking, game-organising, attacking fly-halves do not grow on trees. His value is seen from afar, and no doubt it’s known well at the Brumbies too.
But if you stop to think about life without Lealiifano next year, the situation becomes clear. Particularly given young tens will be dotted around the country.
Add another zero.