Super Rugby: Brumbies boosted by return of Matt Toomua ahead of Crusaders clash

THEY’VE developed a try-scoring weapon in David Pocock but the Brumbies admit they won’t be able to rely solely on their rolling maul if they hope to claim the title.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 05: Referee Angus Gardner speaks to David Pocock of the Brumbies during the round 17 Super Rugby match between the Western Force and the Brumbies at nib Stadium on June 5, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

THEY’VE developed a lethal try-scoring weapon in David Pocock but the Brumbies admit they won’t be able to rely solely on their rolling maul if they hope to progress to a Super Rugby title.

And ​right on cue, ​their chances of creating more ​wider ​threats are likely to be boosted against the Crusaders this weekend, with Matt Toomua expected back on deck​ after an ankle injury​.

Pocock grabbed his second hat-trick of the season at the weekend when he snaked his way over the line three times against the Force at the tail of the Brumbies rolling maul in Perth.

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Matt Toomua is expected to return for the Brumbies clash against the Crusaders. Picture: Brett Costello

The ACT flanker scored three tries in exactly the same way against the Highlanders earlier in the season, and in a sign of how much the Brumbue rely on the rolling maul for points, Pocock is the team’s top try scorer with seven five-pointers.

“Some nights you just seem to get things rolling well for you and so you have to take full advantage, but we know it’s not going to enough to rely on the rolling maul to score tries against teams,” Brumbies captain Stephen Moore said.

“We have to get the balance right, between that and using the ball with width. Our backs have been working hard on that part of our game and when we do get balance in our game, we are very effective.

“We had a good win against the Lions playing that way only a few weeks ago.”

Moore said he believed Toomua would be back on deck to take on the Cantabraians, and echoed the optimism of coach Stephen Larkham about the chances of Henry Speight of playing despite coming off against the Force with an ankle injury.

“As far as I am aware it was anything major,” Moore said.

“He played through it for a half, so fingers crossed he’ll be good to play.”

Having battled their way through to the 2013 final from outside the top two, the Brumbies are acutely aware they must finish top two to be a chance of winning a title and Larkham is unlikely to rest any borderline fit players to keep them fresh for the playoffs.

“Matty Toomua’s hopeful to be back this week and now we’ve got concerns over Henry,” Larkham said.

“Realistically, there’s two weeks until the finals, but we want to have a really good performance this weekend.

“We need everyone on deck this weekend to give ourselves the best opportunity to get a top-two finish.”

Originally published as Super Rugby: Brumbies boosted by return of Matt Toomua ahead of Crusaders clash