Consistency key as Brumbies seek to revamp 'predictable' attack

Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 5:29 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
A brave showing in Cardiff from the Wallabies

The Brumbies are using the 2022 pre-season to build consistency ahead of Super Rugby Pacific, attempting to reshape their 'predictable' attack.

After a promising Super Rugby AU season, the 2020 champions struggled against the Kiwi teams, recording just one win from five games.

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This included heavy defeats to the Blues, Chiefs and Highlanders as they failed to recapture the form that got them to the AU Final in May.

With the draw for the inaugural Pacific season locked in, Brumbies assistant Rob Seib revealed they aren't looking at particular match-ups until they can sort out their own consistency issues.

“We’re really focused on what we’re doing at the moment and that’s been a big theme for us and focusing on what we need to improve,” he told reporters.

“Obviously last season, we had some good results along the way, but our consistency, particularly against New Zealand teams, just wasn’t there.

“We recognise there’s a need to improve. Before we start looking across at everyone else, you need to sort ourselves out.”

At the core of this is their attack, averaging just 17 points over Trans-Tasman, half of which they averaged in Super Rugby AU.

For a side that seemingly relies heavily on the rolling maul, Seib concedes they need to diversify their attack if they wish to compete on a regular basis.

“Certainly from an attack sense, we were very predicating,” he admitted.

“We certainly like to make sure we had a lot more variety and be multifaceted about how we score our points. It probably could be last year, you could shut down a couple of areas of our game and then we’d really struggle to find a way to score.

“This year we’re working on our skill set and decision making, ability to change the game up depending on what’s thrown at us."

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With clubs confirming their squads on Monday, the Brumbies have confirmed 26 of their 2021 squad have been retained as they look to build their exciting core of young playmakers.

“I’m really impressed (with the squad). From one season to next, it’s so important to have that continuity so the have the nucleus of the same players is key,” Seib added.

“To be in and around the group, you recognise what quality people they are which is a great starting point. They’re a real positive, hard working group."

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