The rolling maul looms as the ACT Brumbies' most potent weapon in search of a drought-breaking title against a Queensland Reds outfit riding a wave of momentum.
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So says former Brumbies and Wallabies captain Ben Mowen ahead of the Super Rugby AU decider at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
Mowen says even the slightest hint of ill-discipline from the Reds could cost them the silverware - because every time the Brumbies set up for a rolling maul "it's not too far off" a guaranteed try.
Their potency inside the opposition's 22 has sparked a bizarre debate about the legalities of the rolling maul. But as Brumbies coach Dan McKellar can attest to, a pivotal part of the game is maul defence - something the Reds will need to be near perfect with.
"They've just been so detailed in that space for about three or four years now. Their conversion rate for tries is just massive," Mowen said.
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"If they get inside your 22, they're so good at constructing it in the set-up that, it's not a guaranteed five points, but it's not too far off it.
"Obviously it's not something the Reds won't be aware of, but the Reds are going to have to be so disciplined anywhere around that 50-metre mark.
"If you give away a penalty there, then the Brumbies are inside your 22 and they've just got that ability to convert. It's going to have to be a massive disciplined effort from the Reds to keep that part out of the game.
"There are a few things tactically [the Reds] can try to do, but the key to that whole part of the game is not allowing them in your 22.
"They've got more than a few ways to score points so it's going to come down to discipline."
The Brumbies have shown they have plenty more tricks up their sleeve this season.
But the set piece battle will go a long way towards deciding the inaugural winners of the Australian competition, with the scrum looming as a major test for the hosts.
"I think it's going to come down to one moment, whether it's a Reds scrum or a rolling maul for the Brums, I just think it could be one moment that pops the game open," Mowen said.
"They've been one of the stronger scrums throughout Super Rugby AU. The same attitude the Brumbies bring to their mauling, the Reds bring to their scrum.
"They'll try to make that a big part of the game. Just like the Reds are going to have to defend the Brumbies' maul, the Brumbies are going to have to be on at scrum time. That's such a strong part of the Reds' game."
SUPER RUGBY AU GRAND FINAL
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
