Brumbies vs Waratahs

[skeepe]

Now that's more like it! Great performance by the Brumbies, still with plenty of improvement in us. Brett Sheehan is a f**king imbecile, how funny was it when he lost the ball behind him and just stopped playing? 5 metres out from his own line no less.

Order has finally been restored to the universe. George Smith was excellent as always (despite that absolutely ridiculous penalty for daring to ruck a guy who had his hands all over the ball illegally), Hoiles was inspirational until he sadly came off, and Holmes proved he should start every week. Great to see Lealiifano redeem himself and totally outplay the overrated Beale too.

One thing that can't go unmentioned though is the absolutely appalling standard of refereeing. The aforementioned penalty for rucking when the Waratahs had their hands all over it, the ridiculous penalty for Beale running into Hoiles' shoulder when all he did was stand his ground, another ridiculous penalty for Stirling Mortlock entering a ruck correctly and cleaning out, missing a blatant professional foul by Brett Sheehan when he made a tackle from about 10 metres offside - instead awarding a Waratahs scrum, and sending Wycliff Palu to the bin for what looked to the world like a first infringement. If this guy gets any more S14 matches under the "merit" system then I'll deadset give it away. Worst ref I have ever seen.

 

[Twizzle]

well done Brumbies, didn't see this one coming

Tahs were very disappointing, out enthused

 

[Parra]

Ref was very poor - although the hit on Beale was late and deliberate by any standards.

If Beale's goal kicking was up to standard then there was only a point in it. Seems he has one great week, followed by a poor one.

The Waratahs were all over them at times - but could not finish. Still plagued by dropped ball at crucial times.

When the structure goes from their game, the Tahs look dominated, whereas the loose scrambling rugby suits the Brumbies well.

The Tahs were definitely out-enthused. Looked like the Brumbies learned their lesson when the Force did the same thing to them.

 

[aussies1st]

Another one of those stop start games. Brumbies looked good when they held onto the ball but they did seem to lose the ball quite a bit in the ruck when on attack.
Gerrard was great from the back, another great kicking display and he showed glimpses of his running game. Tyron Smith was awesome at 12, he has added on of the missing links to the backline.

Lineout was a problem, thought it would be better with Kimlim at 6 but didn't go too well at all. And I really don't see what the hype is with Holmes he runs sideways and passes, don't think he even tried running to the line.

 

[skeepe]

Another one of those stop start games. Brumbies looked good when they held onto the ball but they did seem to lose the ball quite a bit in the ruck when on attack.
Gerrard was great from the back, another great kicking display and he showed glimpses of his running game. Tyron Smith was awesome at 12, he has added on of the missing links to the backline.

Lineout was a problem, thought it would be better with Kimlim at 6 but didn't go too well at all. And I really don't see what the hype is with Holmes he runs sideways and passes, don't think he even tried running to the line.

Regardless whether you can see the hype about Holmes, surely you can agree that the Brumbies look far better with him controlling things than Phibbs? As soon as Phibbs came on we looked far more disjointed in attack and he made several blunders that, against a better team, would have proved costly, especially with such a (relatively) slender lead.

 

[aussies1st]

Yea we did lose it when he came on, I just hope Holmes lives up to his hype.

 

[Timbo]

After that, I think it's time for Beale to take a seat. He's looked underdone all season and Friday was the worst of the worst.

Move Sam NK to fly-half and Turner to 15 for a game, see how that goes. Beale was simply attrocious and has to be sit down.