Super Rugby 2015: Brumbies must convert watertight defence into attacking prowess to win title

HISTORY shows that it is attack, not defence that wins Super Rugby titles, a lesson that could prove valuable for the in-form Brumbies.

THE Brumbies are top of the Australian Conference, and second overall on the Super Rugby ladder. But are they knocking on the stable door, or just an each way bet this season?

Their much talked about defence has been rock solid in 2015 — they have conceded the least points (83) and tries (six) this season, keeping their opposition tryless on four occasions already. They are the only team to concede less than 100 points so far, and have the equal best for/against in the competition after round eight.

Henry Speight of the Brumbies is tackled.

As they bid to make the finals series for the third consecutive season, history suggests that having the best defence in the competition doesn’t automatically translate into Championship trophies.

The Stormers are the perfect example of a team, who, in recent times has built their season on defence but have failed to win the ultimate prize.

Since 2011 they have conceded the least points, tries, run metres, linebreaks, and advantage line success per game by any team in this period. They have given up just six four-try bonus points across the past five seasons, the least by any team.

But in this time they have been knocked out of two semi-finals (2011 & 2012) and failed to even qualify for the past two. The reason behind this is simple — their attack has not matched their season leading defence. And as the Waratahs proved last season, you need to dominate both aspects of the game.

History shows attack is the best form of title defence.

In 2014 the Waratahs built their title victory on the best attack and defence in the competition.

They conceded the least points per game (17.3) but scored the most (30), while also earning the most four-try bonus points (nine) and being the only team not to concede one.

The Tahs also suffocated the opposition with ball in hand, dominating possession in sixteen of their eighteen games. They conceded the least run metres but averaged the most, busted through nearly double the amount of tackles they missed, and made nearly twice as many linebreaks as they let through.

Not since the Crusaders in 2008 had a team ranked in the top three for both defence and attack and won the title, yet the Waratahs set the benchmark last year by ranking first across both categories.

The Brumbies must now use their remaining nine games to match their attack against the best.

Waratahs built their premiership tilt on brilliant attack and defence.

The defending champions are averaging the most linebreaks, tackle busts, and run metres per game, while the Crusaders are beginning to find their groove, averaging the most points and tries scored. The Hurricanes are enjoying their best run of form in club history, and are also in the mix with the best advantage line success and second most tries so far this season.

The Brumbies will rue the four try bonus point they left behind last week against the Cheetahs.

The attack stats suggest it was theirs for the taking, posting their second highest run metres and tackle busts, and equal most linebreaks in a match all year.

It was the first time since 2012 that they made over 700 run metres and failed to earn the bonus point. The Brumbies will learn from this, and look to take advantage of a Blues team which is struggling to end the worst losing streak in club history.

Joe Tomane is one Brumbies player that has not capitalised on his opportunities this season.

Don’t get us wrong, the Brumbies attack has been anything but stagnant this season, averaging the third most tries and fifth most point per game, but they are not making the most of what they have.

Winger Joe Tomane has made the most linebreaks (10) by any player this season, yet their leading try scorer is prop Ben Alexander. Henry Speight is leading the team for run metres and tackle busts, but is yet to score a try in 2015.

Stephen Larkham needs to get his impact players scoring tries. As we near the halfway mark of the season, momentum will be critical. History shows the Waratahs title challenge began after their round nine defeat against the Blues, moving from equal second for tries and fifth for points per game, up to first for both categories by the end of July.

Their nine game winning streak began after a visit to Auckland, and the Brumbies will be hoping this trans-Tasman clash will be the beginning of a strong run down the home stretch toward the 2015 Final.

Originally published as Super Rugby 2015: Brumbies must convert watertight defence into attacking prowess to win title