Jake White lauds Ben Mowen as ultimate team man as Brumbies plot Bulls' downfall in Pretoria

JAKE White lauds Ben Mowen as the ultimate team player as the Brumbies skipper prepares for the biggest match of his Super Rugby career.

THIS weekend's match against the Bulls is the culmination of two years of hard work for Brumbies coach Jake White.

The South African has led the Brumbies to the Super Rugby finals for the first time in nine years, but this will be his defining moment.

The Bulls are virtually unbeatable at Loftus Versfeld. They've won all five of their previous home Super Rugby finals and haven't lost a match in Pretoria all season.

If that's not daunting enough for the visitors, there's also the 14-hour flight from Sydney and a playing field that's 1214m above sea level.

But the Brumbies coach is the master of preparation.

"We're busy playing cricket in the morning sun because that's part of what research has shown," White told The Daily Telegraph.

"You need to spend some time out in the sun, so we had a bit of a light walk through this morning and now the boys are playing a bit of cricket.

"It's more about making sure that we give ourselves a fair chance to get ready for the weekend. We've worked really hard for two years now and put all the details together.

Ben Mowen

"Less is more for us now, so it's just about recovery, getting ourselves ready and enjoying the fact that we're going to be playing in front of a full house at Loftus."

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

"I had no doubt that he was going to make a statement because of who he is. But the thing that I've enjoyed the most about him, and I think it's the one thing that must never change, is that it's never about Ben Mowen.

"It's not about Ben Mowen in the way he talks, it's about what he does and means to the team. Obviously I'm as proud about his achievements as I am about everyone elses. I'm mindful of the fact that it's not about Ben, it's about everybody."

HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT

"It's not just hostile, it's a very tough place to win. Look at their records they're obviously a team that knows how to win knockout games at home. They've won five in a row there. They've beaten sides like the Crusaders in Pretoria in playoff games.

"So if you put that into perspective it's obviously a massive task for us, but the one thing about these Brumbies players is that every challenge they've been asked to present themselves to, they've done so professionally."

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT

"One of the things that I've enjoyed personally on this ride over the last two years is that hard work and effort has paid off.

"These guys have put a lot of effort in. They've worked really hard and they've made some massive sacrifices. As a coach you just really enjoy when you see young guys giving themselves a chance.

"Two years ago we came 13th, we were hopeless. Last year we drew with the Sharks, but they just went through on one win more than us. You have to be proud about those sort of results."

THE LIONS SERIES

"People who have played at that level know what it means. It was a massive time and it took a lot out of the players. It wasn't just the three games, it was the three weeks preparation before that. It was six weeks of highs and lows for all those players and now they've come back and they've got to win.

"I'm sure now they'll be relishing the fact that they've now got Wallaby experience and they've given themselves a fair chance of winning this competition."

A WIN IS A WIN

"A one-point win this week and a one-point win next week is good enough for me. At the end of the day it's not about how much you win by and it's not about how convincing it is.

"We're in the second year of my tenure, we've just got to fight hard to get wins. Two years ago they would've taken a 15-13 result against the Cheetahs in a qualifying game. I only see the positives."

WALLABY JOB

"Obviously I was disappointed because I would've liked to be coaching a national rugby team again and I think it's an exciting time for Australian rugby. But it's like anything you make yourself available and if it doesn't come you just move on.

"One would always be disappointed because I think it's a massive opportunity and it's a great time to take over, knowing that I've worked with a lot of these players. But it's not something I think about all the time. It wasn't meant to be. We just move on."