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Flying ‘under the radar’: Super Rugby Pacific’s silent contenders
By Finn Morton
Wallaroo Sera Naiqama believes the Brumbies are still flying “under the radar” this season despite their impressive start which has included a drought-breaking win in Dunedin on Saturday.
The Brumbies were a bit slow out of the blocks at Forsyth Barr Stadium but a much-improved second-half saw the visitors claim a 27-21 win over the Highlanders in round four.
It was a drought-breaking win for the men from Australia’s capital as they registered their first victory over the Highlanders in the deep south of New Zealand since 2013.
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With four rounds of Super Rugby Pacific in the books, the Brumbies sit in fifth with three wins but their successes have been somewhat outshone by high-flying Aussie rivals the Reds.
“I certainly think they had. We talk about the Reds and they’re definitely becoming the best team in Australian rugby that the Brumbies have certainly flown under the radar,” three-time Super W champion Sera Naiqama said on Stan Sports’ Rugby Heaven.
“We forget to remember that they’re operating at (three) wins and only one loss. They’ve just gone about their business really quietly.
“What I really loved about this game is they came out in that second-half and they were just a different team. It almost seemed as though (coach Stephen) Larkham said something at half-time to fire them up.
“(Corey) Toole was just unstoppable.
“Looking at the Brumbies outfit, I was really impressed with what I saw of them.”
Wing Corey Toole appeared to be running at the speed of light down the left edge for the Brumbies which led to defensive pressure and a stunning score early in the second-half.
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With the Brumbies down by four points at the break, Toole showed a clean pair of heels to score a decisive try only a few minutes into the second 40, with momentum swinging the visitors’ way.
It was still a seesawing context until replacement hooker Lachlan Lonergan scored a try inside the final five minutes, with the conversion extending the Brumbies’ lead to nine points.
The Brumbies held on for their third win of the season, joining victories over the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force in rounds one and three respectively.
“Maybe there’s so much expectation on the Brumbies,” former Wallaby Justin Harrison suggested. “I don’t know if they’re under the radar, everyone expects them to be the standout team.
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“They’re just quietly working their way into some form. The Reds have come out of the gates strong (but) the Brumbies are starting to catch them up now, that’s a great thing too.”
