Rugby: Brumbies need to be wary of backlash

Brumbies captain Stephen Moore anchors a tidy scrum. Photo / NZPA

Anyone looking at the 2015 Super Rugby points table would rate the Brumbies to spoil the Blues opening season foray on to Eden Park on Friday night in Auckland.

They've claimed as many wins as the Blues have points from this year's Super Rugby series and bring a concerted organisation to their work under Stephen Larkham's coaching command.

The Brumbies have to make the journey away from their Canberra headquarters at GIO Stadium but they'll appreciate the surface at Eden Park on Friday and in the second-placed team against last contest, they will be favoured.

But when they go through their final debrief, someone should mention the pitfalls this game poses for an unwary or self-assured side.

In 2012, the Brumbies were in a similar position, heading to Eden Park needing a win to qualify against a dispirited group who had won only three games in Pat Lam's final year as coach.

The Blues spanked them 30-16 which left everyone confused.

There will be those who feel there is a bit of an illusion around the Brumbies' ability where they have picked up wins against the Reds (twice), Chiefs, Force and Cheetahs for their high place in the competition.

The Chiefs were a strong scalp but the others are in the mid to lower quality bracket.

Defeats came against the Rebels and the 2014 champion Waratahs.

Seven defeats on the trot is no cure for pessimism although the Blues have not lost by more than 12 points and there is an argument that so far, they have played more difficult sides than the Brumbies.

The Brumbies' strengths are their methods, built on strong pick and go tactics, a tidy scrum anchored by captain Stephen Moore and powerful loosehead prop Scott Sio with plenty of tactical kicking from halfback Nic White.

They have reclaimed former Wallaby skipper David Pocock from his knee reconstructions and with Scott Fardy and No8 Jarrad Butler, they bring a better balance to the structures.

The attacking danger out wide comes from Henry Speight, the former Hamilton Boys' High School and Waikato flyer, who dropped into centre last match outside the strong distribution of Christian Leali'ifano.