Stephen Larkham’s trademark composure is rubbing off on the Brumbies as they chase an all-important top two finish heading into the Super Rugby Pacific finals series.
The 6-1 Brumbies sit third on the ladder after re-enforcing their status as Australia’s premier team by belting the Reds 52-24 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
The emphatic victory was the first by the Brumbies in Brisbane since 2015.
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“Eight years since the Brumbies had a win in Suncorp, and man oh man did they destroy that voodoo in style,” Sean Maloney said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.
“It was a real statement game from them. It was like they were trying to erase the demons of eight years running up there in Suncorp… they were so clinical with their attacking moves and their work off the ball.”
Former Wallaby Turinui noted that the Brumbies had the ability to win in different ways and when they weren’t firing on all cylinders.
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“They stay composed when things aren’t going well, when there’s chaos all around them, when they’re not playing that well and they push through,” Turinui said.
“It was an excellent performance from the Brumbies. Especially that second half where they just showed their class. There’s a reason they’re the best ranked Australian team. There’s a reason they’re so consistent. This was a statement from the Brumbies,”
“They’ve seen off the Waratahs a couple of times, it’s another statement against the Reds that they are the premier Australian team.”
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The next best Australian team are the Reds in eighth spot on the ladder, followed by the Rebels, Force and Waratahs.
If the Brumbies can beat the Drua on Friday they are likely to move into second on the ladder given the pacesetting Hurricanes and Chiefs are squaring off on Saturday.
“They are a real shot of finishing one or two,” Maloney said.
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“You have to finish one or two to win a Super Rugby title.”
While the Brumbies are getting strong performances from throughout their deep squad this season, fullback Tom Wright and backrower Rob Valetini both earned extra praise.
“The Brumbies are hard to single out people but he’s (Wright) been sneakily good throughout the season, he’s been influential… skillset excellent,” Turinui said.
Maloney described Valetini as a “force… they couldn’t stop him.”
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