The Brumbies need to ensure they strike a balance between risk and reward when they face the Rebels, lock Rory Arnold says.
Nineteen turnovers proved to be the killer stat for the Brumbies in a 43-13 loss to the Hurricanes and it’s an area of the game where the Rebels will pounce if given the chance.
“I think the balance wasn't quite there (against the Hurricanes),” he said.
“We want to play this attacking rugby but we lacked that balance of running into the clearing, held the ball for too long, urgency at the breakdown wasn't good enough and it really hurt us against the Hurricanes on the weekend.”
Arnold was on the end of one misjudged pass in Palmerston North that led directly to a Hurricanes try while he said the Brumbies needed to back themselves, they had to ensure they picked their times better.
“We've been trying to play this difference sort of rugby and use our skills so there's that balance like I said before - learning when to use it, earning the right, maybe go through them first before we look to use our skills but if the pass stuck then, I was through a hole,” he said.
“So, the coaches tell us to back our skills and another day it might've gone to hand.
“Against the Chiefs, a lot of that stuff is going to hand and I think we can't go back into our shells.
“Just keep cracking at it and it'll come off.”
The Brumbies haven’t beaten the Rebels in their past three Super Rugby clashes and in a Super Rugby quirk are facing the Melbourne side for the second time in a month.
Arnold said they were expecting much of the same from the Rebels as they saw in Canberra in round one.
“Round one they were the same, they kicked a lot of the ball, good chase line, guessing they'll do the same on Friday night down there.
“It's about having that balance in our game, knowing when to play in our half and knowing when to just put it in the corner and get that balance right.”
The Brumbies take on the Rebels at AAMI Park on Friday March 8, kicking off at 7:45pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
