Brumbies yet to face big test
The Brumbies are no doubt riding high after four wins from their first five games this season. But they will know there's nothing to crow about until they add some big scalps to their list of wins. The Brumbies beat the Reds 29-0 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. It was the second time they had beaten the struggling Reds this season and they got another bonus point. They've also beaten the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force this year, both crucial wins in the context of the goal of winning the Australian conference. But in being realistic, those three teams won't be contenders this year. Their only loss came at the hands of the Waikato Chiefs and their biggest test comes against the NSW Waratahs next weekend. The Waratahs knocked the Brumbies out of title contention last year in an intense semi-final. The Brumbies will be intent on revenge, but more importantly they'll know a victory against their most bitter rival will set up their season perfectly.
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Gill channels WWE in brain explosion
Reds flanker Liam Gill channelled wrestling greats for a bit of anger in the second half, borrowing a move from the ring to manhandle Nic White in a brain explosion of epic proportions. The former Wallabies No. 7 grabbed White at a ruck just centimetres from the Reds' line. That was his first mistake. Next he lifted the diminutive No. 9 up and flipped him over before slamming him down on the ground just like they do in the WWE. That was mistake No. 2. Prop Ben Alexander swooped and dived over the gap left by Gill's stupid move and the Brumbies scored. That's mistake No. 3. Then he was sent to the sin-bin for dangerous play which gave White a few nervy moments. It cost the Reds a try and a man in the sin-bin, but Hulk Hogan might come knocking on Gill's door on Monday morning.
Moore marks milestone with try
Will Stephen Moore finish his career as the greatest hooker in Australian rugby history? You'd have to think so. He's played 92 Tests and 136 Super Rugby games. He scored a try against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night in a match which saw him level George Gregan as the equal fourth most capped Australian player in Super Rugby history. But the one thing the highly respected rake needs to add to his career is team success. He only played his first Super Rugby finals game in 2013 and barring injury, he will play at his third World Cup later this year. Moore craves titles, and a Super Rugby championship would be a perfect boost before chasing international glory. He joins Gregan, George Smith, Stirling Mortlock and Australian record holder Nathan Sharpe on the list of capped Australian players.
Benny A's try sending the prop broke
The try-scoring business is becoming an expensive habit for Ben Alexander. The Brumbies prop ended a five-pointer drought last weekend and got across the line against the Reds to score tries in back-to-back matches for the first time since 2009. The timing couldn't be worse for the Wallabies veteran, who part-owns The Dock bar at the Kingston Foreshore with teammate Scott Fardy. Every time either of them score a try in away games, anyone at the pub in Brumbies gear gets a free drink. It got worse in the second half when Alexander dived over for his second try. We calculate that at about $4000 in free booze over the past two weeks. He was in the clear for a third with Fardy in support, but he opted to spread the ball wide and neither got across the line. Fardy might be asking to buy out Alexander's business share if the trend continues.
Bernie stings the Reds
Modern-day athletes are adamant they don't read the press. But Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham certainly hit a nerve at Reds HQ when he labelled the Queensland side as "not up to Super Rugby standard" after a 47-3 opening-round shellacking. Reds players admitted they had been stung by the Wallabies great's words, and it showed in the opening 10 minutes. They turned up the heat at the breakdown and hammered into Brumbies players whenever they got the chance. Liam Gill grabbed Sam Carter and got a few jabs in. But all the fire was taken out when the Brumbies scored first, with Stephen Moore getting the first five-pointer. They only trailed by 10 points at half-time. But the Brumbies turned on the after burners to get a four-try bonus point in the second half, and Larkham's words rung true in Brisbane. The Reds have scored just four tries this season and just 39 points in five games.
