Brumbies borrow Melbourne Storm training technique to prepare for hot conditions against Reds

THE Brumbies have borrowed a training technique from the Melbourne Storm to prepare for a hot and slippery night against the Reds in Brisbane on Friday night.

Super Rugby Rd 3 - Rebels v Brumbies

THE Brumbies have borrowed a training technique from the Melbourne Storm to prepare for a hot and slippery night against the Reds in Brisbane on Friday night.

With high humidity and 30 degrees expected at Suncorp Stadium, the Brumbies prepared for the likelihood of a slipper​y​ ball with an unusual trick in their ball work sessions.

​”​Every time you play up there it gets real humid, even if it is a dry night,” five-eighth Matt Toomua said.

“’Rhino” (defence coach Peter Ryan) was annoying us on Monday because he was spraying that Jif spray on the balls. He was making it really slippery and trying to simulate the Reds game. We try and do all we can.”

Ryan is a former league player and the NRL link goes further: ​during their dominant seasons, ​the Storm ​​used to train over summer dipping Steedens in buckets of soapy water to help work on their​ handling​ skills.

The meticulous preparation of the Brumbies for a sticky Brisbane night is at odds with the home team’s week, however, after under-pressure Reds coach Richard Graham had to make into more injury-enforced changes to his run-on side.

Though James Horwill returned, star recruit James O’Connor was withdrawn from the game with a bad cork and Lachie Turner has also been stood down due to concussion.

Centre Ben Tapuai has been shifted into the unfamiliar role of fullback, with Campbell Magnay on the wing.

“We haven’t been able to manage the continuity of selection in the backs but we have a lot of clarity on the way that we want to play,” Graham said.

The Brumbies smashed the Reds in round one in Canberra; a result that prompted ACT coach Stephen Larkham to observe Queensland “weren’t up to Super Rugby standard”.

It was intended as an “on the night” comment but it has lived on, and Larkham attempted to play it down yesterday, Reds players privately confirm it has been circulating again this week.

“It was brought up by the journos (this week), and I am sure internally they have a good focus on the game and are not worried about external comment. As are we, we are very focussed on our game,” Larkham said.

“We are not trying to get into any war of words with coaches or players or anything like that. We are very focussed taking the game to the next level, which I am sure is their focus this week.”

Larkham said he believed the Reds would be far better tomorrow night than in their opening round effort.

“Their game has certainly turned around since the first game,” Larkham said.

“I look at theReds and there is plenty of comment about how they played in the first round but they are a dangerous side if they get it together.”

Originally published as Brumbies borrow Melbourne Storm training technique to prepare for hot conditions against Reds