The Brumbies have lost their past three games in a row and are fighting to save their Super Rugby season. Here are all the talking points.
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THE BRUMBIES' NUMBER CRUNCH
The loss against the Blues was the type of result that you look back on at the end of the season and wonder 'what if'.
The Brumbies lost to the Blues 18-12 and the result, which could be a flashpoint for the season, was made tougher to swallow by a list of harsh facts. They are:
- The Brumbies have now lost three games in a row for the first time since 2011.
- It was the first time since 2012 the Brumbies had failed to score a try in a regular season game.
- It was the first time the Blues had kept the Brumbies' try-less since 2007.
- Their 10-point lead in the Australian conference has now evaporated to just five points, and could be cut further because they've got the bye this week.
- The Brumbies haven't beaten a New Zealand side since round one last year. That's nine defeats in a row against Kiwi teams.
- To add to that, Australian teams have lost the first 15 trans-Tasman matches this year and have won just three of the past 41 games against Kiwi sides.
The Brumbies will have two weeks to stew on their mid-season slump. Things looked rosy after thrashing the Queensland Reds a month ago.
But since then the Brumbies have failed to fire against the Melbourne Rebels, Wellington Hurricanes and Auckland Blues.
It doesn't get any easier, with the next challenge against the Johannesburg Lions in two weeks before a trip to South Africa and Argentina.
BRUMBIES BENEFIT FROM SUPER RUGBY LADDER
The glaring gap between Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby sides was on show at Canberra Stadium as the best Aussie team fell to the worst Kiwi team.
The irony wasn't lost on coaches Stephen Larkham or Tana Umaga that despite the Blues boasting more wins and points, they are stuck five places behind the Brumbies on the ladder.
The Brumbies (18 points) are the top Australian team and are clinging on to the guaranteed finals berth. But the Blues (22 points) are ninth on the overall table. It sounds crazy because it is.
If the guaranteed finals spot for each conference was abolished, the Brumbies would be 10th on an overall table. To highlight the difference, the Brumbies are fourth while the fifth-placed Chiefs have 37 competition points.
The Brumbies can only play what is in front of them, and that target is winning the Australian conference. They are five points clear of the NSW Waratahs, thanks to losing five games by seven points or less.
TURNSTILES SPIN FOR SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTY
Canberra turned on an absolute pearler for the Brumbies' only day-time game of the season, but the turnstiles were spinning on the field rather than at the gates in the first half.
The Brumbies almost forgot what the ball was looked like after being starved of possession in the first 40 minutes. At one point, the Blues had 84 per cent possession.
The home side scrambled to stay in the contest, but in the end it took its toll and the Blues scored the opening try.
The worrying statistic was the missed tackle count. The Brumbies made 151 tackles - 60 more than the Blues. But they almost missed 38.
BRUMBIES NEED TO BACK UP BOLD SKIPPER
There's little doubt the Brumbies are on a mission to entertain this year, but the players need to back up captain Sam Carter to make the most of their opportunities.
Carter has turned down easy penalty shots multiple times this season in a bid to play exciting rugby, score tries and give the crowds something to watch.
It's an admirable mindset. But the problem comes when the Brumbies fail to execute after the decision is made.
The Brumbies were awarded a penalty after the half-time siren on Sunday and Carter pointed to the sideline rather than at the posts to chase a try.
The penalty was in front of the posts and would have put the Brumbies just two points behind at half-time. But the maul fell flat and the Blues led 8-3 at the break.
Carter continually says the team is making no excuses for poor decisions and they back their attacking intent, now it's time for the rest of the players to follow.
"You've got to back up that decision, if we set up the maul it would have been five points," said coach Stephen Larkham.
The Brumbies kicked two penalties in the first 10 minutes after half-time to snatch a 9-8 lead but couldn't hold on.
WHERE CAN THE SPARK COME FROM?
The biggest question facing the Brumbies is who do they turn to in the hope of climbing out of this hole?
They're virtually at full strength, but they are missing halfback Tomas Cubelli and Scott Sio. Neither will be back before the break for international games in June.
So who is the linchpin? Henry Speight has been by far the best Brumby this year, but he barely touched the ball against the Blues. Could he fill a hole at inside centre to add midfield punch?
Tom Banks was impressive in his first game at fullback and coach Stephen Larkham has two weeks to ponder any changes as the Brumbies attempt to resurrect their season.
They can't afford to let another season of hope slip and that means turning things around immediately.
AT A GLANCE
AUCKLAND BLUES 18 (Matt Duffie, Akira Ioane, Melani Nanai tries; Bryn Gatland penalty) bt ACT BRUMBIES 12 (Wharenui Hawera 4 penalties) at Canberra Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Referee: Nick Briant. Crowd: 12,072.
