Predictable Brumbies drop ball with strange selections for Reds clash


Eddie Jones
May 02, 2009 12:00am

RUGBY'S great innovators from the ACT have become predictable and the out-of-position selections in the Brumbies backline for tonight's derby against the Reds are confounding.

They have lost their inventiveness and are now very direct and lack options in the way they attack.

The Brumbies' first phase play is terrible with timing and alignment all over the shop.

Tyrone Smith is an out-and-out inside centre playing outside centre. Stirling Mortlock is an outside centre posted on the wing and Adam Ashley-Cooper is an outside centre or fullback on the wing.

Take note Reds - they will not be trying to go around you!

Mortlock was a winger a decade ago but, at 31, he should be considered as an inside centre if not in his specialist position at No. 13.

The Reds, on the other hand, are unpredictable. Will Genia, Berrick Barnes, Cooper, Digby Ioane and Mark McLinden are all instinctive attackers.

When they're on, they are sublime. The downside is that they are prone to make simple skill mistakes.

The "predictable Brumbies v unpredictable Reds" is not a billing you would have seen in the 14-season history of Super rugby.

The Brumbies have always fancied they can beat the Reds. In the good old days, the Brumbies always felt the Reds' style was so simple and predictable even though they had terrific names with Eales, Wilson, Kefu, Horan, Tune, Latham, Foley and co.

Tactically, it was not a challenge. It was just the physical challenge of a well-drilled "Knuckles" Connolly team.

The key players for the Brumbies tonight are flanker George Smith and fullback Mark Gerrard. Smith's allround game is sensational. It is Smith v the Reds pack.

Every Reds forward will need to target Smith at the breakdown, clean him out and put him on the deck as much as possible. If he does not come off battered the Reds will struggle to win.

Gerrard's control of field position with purposeful kicking has been outstanding.

At hooker, there will be a wonderful duel - "Teacher" Sean Hardman v "Graduate Student" Stephen Moore.

There will be no love lost. Rival hookers, generally, are not best mates.

Mentally, the Reds need confidence early tonight. If the Reds can win the first 20 minutes, they will win by 10 points. If the Brumbies are in front after 20, they will win narrowly.


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