Super Rugby season lunch: Brumbies must manage the pressure, says Stephen Larkham

SUPER Rugby may have three new teams and a draw that would stump Stephen Hawking but for Australians it’s simple: the Brumbies have to deliver.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham at Brumbies Headquarters in Canberra.

IT’S the Brumbies’ year but don’t tell them that. They’re not listening.

The Super Rugby competition may have three new teams, two new countries and a draw that would stump Stephen Hawking but as far as Australians are concerned there is one simple theme emerging: this is the season the Brumbies have to deliver.

While many of their Super Rugby rivals — both domestically and internationally — have been dealing with massive post-World Cup change in the summer, the men from Canberra enjoy a largely unchanged roster from the one that made the semi-finals in the past two years, and even the final in 2013.

Many believe the Brumbies are overdue to take the next big step and win their first title since 2004 but the urgency is heightened by the fact Wallabies Stephen Moore, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane and probably David Pocock won’t be there in 2017.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said the team could sense the level of expectation on them this season but he is confident they can block it all out.

“It is external pressure,” Larkham said.

“Internally we have things we need to achieve each week. There are changes in tactics and changes in our structure that happens every week, so there is enough focus for the boys there to not get overawed by all this public expectation.

“We are aware of our roster and aware of what people are saying and thinking. It is not easy winning a Super Rugby game, let alone a season. The focus for us is pretty easy, it is one week at a time.

“The biggest thing for us is not looking too far ahead, and we have spoken about this. Not looking at the finals but looking at our next game and taking it one game at a time.”

The added pressure of all those star players departing at the end of the season was not being considered, nor used as motivation, Larkham said.

“It is like every year of the competition: at the start of the year you think you are going to win it every year. It’s no different this year. That’s the way we do things at the Brumbies, maybe that’s different to other franchises,” he said.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham says his team can cope with the expectations.

“There will be a few changes but we have spoken internally about not worrying about next year, the focus is on this year.”

The new Super Rugby structure will see Australian teams play one less Super Rugby derby, and one extra match against a New Zealand rival. They’ll play all four teams of one of two African conferences, which will contain one of the new Japan and Argentina franchises.

Confused yet?

With the third new team, the southern Kings, looking like another weak outfit, the scope for inequity in the new Super Rugby draw is real but most Australian coaches were sticking to the diplomatic route yesterday.

“It’s almost irrelevant,” Larkham said. “We know the path to the finals, you just have to focus on winning the next game.”

The 2016 Super Rugby Australian season launches at ... Wet ‘n’ Wild...

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson added: “ I haven’t examined everyone’s draw but certainly there must be a statistician who would be saying: one team is getting a better draw than others.

“But in saying that, you have got to win every game if you want to win the playoffs and the top four.

“The format hasn’t changed in that the winners of each conference have a definite advantage by staying at home and having an easier route to the final.”

The Argentinian Jaquares are set to be the most competitive of the new sides, with over 20 Test players in their squad.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said they would be a potent force but would struggle with the rigours of the new competition initially.

“They are going to have to digest how they work on the travel schedule because it is a big one,” Cheika said.

“But the Argentinians are some of the most resilient people I know, and they will thrive on being together and being on the road and getting out and trying to win overseas. When you go over there to play it is going to be a tough ride.”

Originally published as Super Rugby season lunch: Brumbies must manage the pressure, says Stephen Larkham