If you have Daryl Braithwaite singing The Horses on the entertainment menu for the day, you want to see the ACT Brumbies galloping.
The theming was perfect for Super Round Melbourne and the result was the same with a superb 25-20 triumph over the Auckland-based Blues.
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The way the Brumbies sustained their intensity for 80 minutes, structured some sharp attacks and scrambled so well in defence was first class.
So what did we learn about Australia’s top team with the first win for the Aussies over a Kiwi rival this season.
1 LARKHAM BRINGS MIX AS COACH
As a champion flyhalf, Steve Larkham rolled his eyes any time his forwards kept the ball to themselves.
As a coach, he’s already showing that he will use all his team’s weapons.
The Brumbies led 25-20 at half-time and Larkham let his lineout and rolling maul take charge whenever possible.
Hooker Lachy Lonergan hit the target in the middle of the lineout with jumper Caderyn Neville and the Brumbies maul went to work.
The maul produced a clinical try just before half-time as well as providing the platform for the earlier Andy Muirhead try.
The Brumbies’ game plan was as needed to challenge the Blues...pressure them at the set pieces, shrewd hands to zero in on turnover chances at the breakdown and tackle hard and often.
Few teams keep this modern Blues side scoreless for 50 minutes. The Brumbies did so.
2 ONLY A NEK IN IT
It was an incredibly tight contest and replacement prop Rhys van Nek had to put in for 70 minutes when frontline tighthead Allan Alaalatoa was forced off with a head knock.
Van Nek won two key turnovers in the tight second half when he got into ideal position over the ball and his scrummaging was just what the Brumbies needed.
It’s no credit to Queensland who ignored the 2020 premiership prop from Easts (Brisbane) because he’s forged his Super Rugby chances with the Melbourne Rebels and Brumbies since.
Fellow replacement prop Blake Schoupp measured up too. He gave up a late penalty when his team was on attack and then immediately won a penalty for his own side.
3 THE DEBREZCENI RIDDLE
Jack Debreczeni was always a puzzling player of potential at the Melbourne Rebels during his first life in Super Rugby.
He remains so. He threw a lovely long pass to put his support outside a Blues defender in the lead-up to the Muirhead try.
He thumps the ball longer with the boot than any Aussie No.10 and did that to advantage time and again against the Blues.
He does often run sideways when receiving the ball and it takes out that direct, straightening run that, say, Ben Donaldson does so well.
Debreczeni also has a totally unexpected mistake in him like spilling the ball cold just before half-time when lock Nick Frost had done so much to get his team out of a tight corner with a lineout steal.
Overall, it was a positive 49 minutes from Debreczeni and he’s proving a good signing by the Brumbies.
4 WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES
Everything Mark Talea touched turned to gold with his tries and 248 running metres in the previous round against the Highlanders.
Against the Brumbies, he was stifled, played didn't run his way and he managed just eight short spurts for 26m.
Likewise, marking winger Corey Toole just didn’t see much of the ball.
Up stepped Andy Muirhead as the best winger on the field.
It was the full package with some strong carries, finishing for a try, good scrambling in defence and an excellent shortside run that could have turned into more.
5 BRUMBIES SET THE STANDARD
There was so much fine detail to what the Brumbies did well.
It was the sign of a mature team.
The Brumbies are getting plenty from their tandem act at halfback with Ryan Lonergan and Nic White both playing extremely well in this one.
Both used the shortside to great advantage. White’s pinpoint up-and-under which the Brumbies tapped back to keep possession was typical. Lock Nick Frost’s workrate to charge down a kick and Pete Samu's range of skills at No.8 were also features.
Lachy Lonergan (16), Rory Scott (16), Frost (15) and Rob Valetini (15) got through big tackle loads.
