Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson concedes the Brumbies will enter the Super Rugby finals playing a winning brand which has eluded Australia’s other spluttering teams.
The men from Canberra were crowned Australian conference champions with a round to spare after their emphatic 35-24 win over the Waratahs and can begin planning for a home quarter-final.
With five-straight wins under their belt, the Brumbies are poised to give the title a shake and Gibson says they possess something their conference rivals haven’t emulated.
“They’re really clear on what they are. You can really see the identity on how they’re approaching the game,” he said, pointing to a solid set piece foundation that laid the platform for a 28-3 halftime lead in Sydney.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar believes victory over the Queensland Reds in Canberra will be imperative if they’re to maintain their positive mindset.
“The important thing at this time of year is keeping getting your preparation right, keep building momentum and confidence,” he said.
“As everyone knows, if you take that into the finals series it’s a good thing to have.”
The Reds, who’ll have little to play for, will come in with confidence after a drought-busting 29-28 defeat of the Blues – their first trans-Tasman win for three years.
There is every chance the Brumbies will be the lone Australian team in post-season action, which would continue the trend of the past three years.
The 12th-placed Waratahs will need a minor miracle, requiring a bonus point win over the Highlanders across the Tasman and for other results go their way.
It’s all on the line for the eighth-placed Melbourne Rebels.
Beat the Chiefs at home and they’ll make their maiden playoffs appearance.
Snaring one or two points could sneak them over the line but a loss with no bonus point will spell final-round heartache for a second-seccessive campaign.
Melbourne’s problem is a complete lack of momentum, having suffered the heaviest defeat in their history – a 66-0 shellacking from the Crusaders in Christchurch.
That match cements the Crusaders as short-price favourites for a third crownj in a row.
They will sit out a bye next week and can plan for all their finals matches in Christchurch, where they’re unbeaten in their past 28 games.
The Jaguares’ 34-7 win over the Sharks secured their conference for the first time and means no South African team will host a quarter-final.
The Hurricanes secured a wildcard home quarter with an impressive 37-17 defeat of the Lions in Johannesburg.
The Highlanders and Bulls remain in play-offs limbo after a 24-24 draw, while the Stormers have the same status after beating the hapless Sunwolves 31-18.