For 10 long months, the Brumbies have been waiting for a shot at redemption against the Reds.
When James O’Connor dived over to clinch victory in the 85th minute of the Super Rugby AU grand final at Suncorp Stadium last year, it not only sunk the Brumbies but also set the course for a revenge mission.
“You lose a grand final – and I’ve lost a few – it’ll burn you for a while”, Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White revealed to WWOS ahead of tomorrow’s top of the table clash between the two sides.
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White admits the result hasn’t been a talking point, but expects the memory to be a motivating factor for his team mates.
“Being up there at Suncorp watching them lift the trophy did hurt a lot. They lost one (in Canberra in 2020) and they used that to propel them to a win last year, and we’re hoping to do the same.”
The Reds-Brumbies rivalry has become the most hotly contested in Australian rugby in recent years, due largely to their history of intense, nail-biting matches.
“Yeah I certainly haven’t felt a rivalry like this in a while,” White said.
“I certainly haven’t come across a team where you have so many close games in a row.”
Six of their last seven clashes have been decided by five points or less.
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The only ‘blowout’ in that time came in the final home and away round of the inaugural Super Rugby AU season in 2020, where the Reds were comfortable winners, 26-7, over the Brumbies.
Two weeks later, ACT defeated Queensland 28-23 to lift the trophy in Canberra, but the Reds have won all three matches since.
“After 2020, they wanted what we had and they got it. Now we want what they’ve got. Fair play to Queensland, they’ve built a bit of success. They have worked really hard to get to where they are and that’s why we have this rivalry because we have so much respect.”
But one simple comment, intended as a compliment, might set a new tone.
“They do have a chip on their shoulder and they do fight for everything. I really think this group has that Queenslander mentality about them.”
The rivalry spilled into social media land this week, following a comment Brumbies lock Darcy Swain made, ahead of tomorrow’s clash.
Swain’s comment, “It’s been sitting in the back of everyone’s minds, that sort of bitterness of last year and the way it ended”, was posted on Instagram and drew the attention of injured Reds enforcer, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
The big Queensland lock, sidelined with a high ankle sprain, commented on the post with three crying laughing emojis; no doubt reflecting a wider response from Queensland’s playing group.
“I’m certain that Lukhan would be filthy that he’s not able to come down here and impose himself on the game, but we’re certainly happy he’s not,” White said. (Lukhan) is just making that his mission (to stoke the fire).
“There’s plenty of spice there, but it’s not that bitter (type of rivalry).”
We’ll find out tomorrow night in Canberra when a new chapter in this tense showdown is written.
Both teams are undefeated after four rounds, but only one can hold claim to that title next week.
Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens are back in new team colours this week as they review round four of Super Rugby Pacific, the penultimate round of the Six Nations and have a chat all things Super W with Brumbies star Jemima McCalman
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