Super Rugby: Rod Kafer backs Brumbies to claim title if they follow coach’s rule

THE stars are aligning for the Brumbies to swoop on a first Super Rugby title in 11 years, but only if they banish the ghost of Jake White, says Rod Kafer.

ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham before the NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies Super Rugby game at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

THE stars are aligning for the Brumbies to swoop on a first Super Rugby title in 11 years but they must first banish the ghost of Jake White and chase tries using Bernie-ball.

That’s the view of former Brumby and respected analyst Rod Kafer, who believes ACT coach Stephen Larkham should resist the urge to grind out a win over the Force this weekend in Perth and instruct his troops to attack and secure a decisive bonus-point win.

“For the Brumbies now surely the opportunity now is bonus point win in Perth and bonus point win at home in the last two games, and it puts it all back in their hands,” Kafer said.

“The way the finals are shaping up you could even end up with a home final, who knows?”

BRUMBIES TO TAKE ‘GAME TO NEW LEVEL’

The Brumbies sit in sixth place but are equal on points (42) with the Waratahs, who are conference leaders by virtue of more total wins. The Stormers (43) are in second with two rounds remaining, and the Hurricanes (57) are out in front.

The strength of the Kiwi conference, however, means that the Highlanders (48) and Chiefs (44) will play in the first weekend of finals and either one could take on the Canes in Wellington in a home semi-final. Both sides will fancy their chances for a win, which could open the door for the second-ranked team to win their semi and host the final instead.

Bonus-point wins would go a long way to securing that all-important second slot, and given the Stormers are no try-hounds and the Waratahs have two tough matches against the Cheetahs and Reds ahead, the Brumbies have a chance to pounce.

But to do so the Brumbies must attack with abandon and pocket maximum points, and Kafer has been confused to see the remnants of the conservative White-era Brumbies lingering in, and at times dominating, their gameplans this season.

Larkham was one of Australia’s finest ever attacking players and Kafer believes his former teammate must back his instincts and unleash all-out attack if the Brumbies are to make a sweep home for the title.

Henry Speight bagged a double against the Bulls.

“They tend to oscillate between a spread the ball to the wingers, let’s go all-out attack and look really good, to let’s play a kicking game and field position type approach,” Kafer said.

“​They did it when they went to South Africa, they shifted the way they played. It was off the back of losing to the Tahs before they left, and they really changed the way they played against the Stormers. And then one of the best games, and most clinical games, for them all season was against the Lions. They were just unstoppable, they looked really good.

“But the game against the Bulls, they didn’t concede a linebreak and defended well but in some ways they went back to a narrower, kicking game. I felt like against the Bulls they invited the opposition into the contest by not backing themselves.”

Up against teams with limited attack — like the Bulls and Force — coaches can believe a defensive, field position strategy is a safe approach to get away with a win. Not only will that not yield a bonus point win, but it could invite danger.

Robbie Coleman evades a Bulls’ defender.

“The challenge with playing the Force is you know they score less points than any other team in the competition, 18 points a game. So you can think we know they’re not going to score many, if we can just tick the scoreboard over we’ll be okay,” Kafer said.

“This is the risk, if you don’t play any rugby and don’t stretch them, it invites them into the game. That’s what the Waratahs discovered.

“But if you have the approach of going all out attack and taking it to them, we have seen the good teams put big points on the Force.”

The absence of Matt Toomua restricts the Brumbies attacking capability but Kafer believes they still have enough firepower to stretch the Force, and then hope for their Wallaby playmaker to return alongside Christian Lealiifano for the final home game against the Crusaders.

Brumbies players are gearing up for a tough battle, however, with the Force desperate to avoid the wooden spoon. Flanker David Pocock said his side are wary of the Force’s ability to lop tall poppies.

“​When you look at the Force they are a team that steps up against other Australian teams, particularly teams at the top of the ladder. Look at the Tahs, they lost twice to the Force this year and we lost twice to the Tahs. So we know what they can do,” he said.

“​They don’t have anything to lose and I am sure that will be their attitude. They’re a proud team and have some exceptional players. Playing at home they will be trying to finish their season on a high.”

Originally published as Super Rugby: Rod Kafer backs Brumbies to claim title if they follow coach’s rule