How Brumbies have defied critics to become Australia’s best Super Rugby team

Scott Sio was handed a formidable challenge at the start of the season. How the Brumbies prop responded has been a big part of the reason his side topped the Super Rugby Australian conference.

Brumbies prop Scott Sio has taken his game to a new level. Picture: Getty Images

• Wallabies halves crisis as stars defect
• Secret to Junior Wallabies’ success

It was the preseason signing that could have derailed the Brumbies, but instead is a shining example of why the Canberra franchise has overcome the odds to be the sole Australian team in the Super Rugby finals.

Scott Sio, the starting Wallabies loosehead prop and senior member of the Brumbies side, learned that 86-Test veteran James Slipper was heading to the nation’s capital to reignite his career after being snubbed in Queensland by coach Brad Thorn.

“Some players could have looked at it as an attack on their position,” Sio told Rugby Central.

Brumbies prop Scott Sio has taken his game to a new level. Picture: Getty Images

“A couple of years ago, I didn’t have the mentality I do now, so I could have moped about it.

“But when it was announced that Slips was coming here, I saw it as a challenge, and something for me to grow and get better from.”

And herein lies one example of why the Brumbies, with a roster distinctly lacking the star quality of the Waratahs and Rebels, beat them all to win the Australian conference and host Durban’s Sharks in the quarter-final at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.

“At the start of the year we talked about belief, not just as a group but as individuals, because it’s hard for people to believe in you if you’re not invested in yourself,” Sio said.

“We were written off, and to change that perception we needed to ask ourselves: ‘Are you doing everything possible to get yourself in the best possible space, physically and mentally, for this team?’

“They are not easy questions to ask yourself, it involves being very self-critical.

“But in professional sport, nobody is more critical of an athlete than themselves.

“And for me, with Slips coming down, it was just a time in my life where I had to ask, ‘Am I willing to grow and evolve, or stay where I am - which wasn’t a bad place’. But I knew this could take my game to the next level.

Brumbies players celebrate a James Slipper try. Picture: AAP

‘Slips is such a quality player and we bring the best out of ourselves because we are such competitors.

“As competitive as we are, we work together so well because we want to do well for the team. We’ve built a great rapport.”

Sio, 27 and with 55 Tests to his name, revealed what he’s specifically changed in 2019.

“I changed a lot of my habits, around review and analysis, a lot of behind the scenes stuff that isn’t seen in public. I worked on recovery, and trying to get on top of any niggles as early as possible,” Sio said.

Scott Sio celebrates playing his 100th Brumbies match in Saturday night’s win against the Reds.

“And I have been trying to get myself in the best mental space I can.

“When you’re talking attitude, you’ve got to keep learning and growing, not be comfortable where you are.

“This year has been a lot about personal growth for me.

“As a senior player you can think you know what works well and you can become set in your ways. I’ve been asking the younger players in the squad what they would do in certain situations, getting a fresh perspective on things.

“I’ve been picking the brains of younger players, getting advice from everyone I can, and trying to do that day to day.

“I remembered how I was in 2012 when I was trying to earn my stripes here, and I’m wanting to get back to that.”

Scott Sio has played 55 Tests for the Wallabies. Picture: Getty Images

Sio added of the Brumbies squad: “There’s a real feeling of enjoyment in this team, which is something a lot of players don’t talk about because it’s not necessarily a foundation block.

“But I’ve been taught by my parents that being in an enjoyable environment gets the best out of you. We’ve had a lot more enjoyment here than in previous years, and that means we’re willing to go that extra mile and work hard for each other.”

The Brumbies will announce their quarter-final team on Thursday night.

Sharks 27-man squad:

Forwards: Juan Schoeman, Mzamo Majola, Kerron van Vuuren, Craig Burden, Cullen Collopy, Coenie Oosthuizen, Thomas du Toit, John-Hubert Meyer, Ruben van Heerden, Gideon Koegelenberg, Hyron Andrews, Daniel du Preez, Jacques Vermeulen, Tyler Paul, Luke Stringer.

Backs: Louis Schreuder (c), Cameron Wright, Robert du Preez, Curwin Bosch, Makazola Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen, Jeremy Ward, Lukhanyo Am, Kobus van Wyk, S’bu Nkosi, Aphelele Fassi, Rhyno Smith.