Brumbies vow to get on the attack

20/12/2007 4:22:22 PM
Steve Orme
Sportal

The new-look Brumbies line-up of 2008 remains committed to playing the attacking brand of rugby made famous by the likes of recently departed duo Stephen Larkham and George Gregan.

The absence of skipper Stirling Mortlock for the start of the season following shoulder surgery will also provide an opportunity for the next generation of Brumbies to showcase their wares.

And with the new season just seven weeks away, the Brumbies coaching staff has placed extra emphasis on the ability to react to the situations in front of them in a bid to terrorise opposition defences throughout the upcoming campaign.

"We're trying to grow the awareness of what the players are seeing and reading and what they're reacting to," assistant coach Matt O'Connor said.

"If they can do that we can work it into some new structures we've been developing in the off season."

"In reviewing our results last year we probably didn't challenge the opposition enough with ball in hand."

"We'll be looking to do that more during 2008, particularly with some of the law variations which will provide more opportunities to both sides with ball in hand."

And O'Connor is confident the Brumbies possess ample firepower in attack to exploit the new experimental laws being trialled next season.

"What the ELV's will do is create some fatigue in the opposition – given the additional time that the ball will spend in play – which will be an advantage to the team in possession," he explained.

"We're definitely looking to continue the Brumbies' tradition of using possession and attacking more with the footy."

"What the ELV's will do is give players like (Patrick) Phibbs, (Josh) Holmes, (Stephen) Hoiles, (Mitch) Chapman, (Julian) Huxley and (Adam) Ashley-Cooper more opportunities to display their attacking skills."

The Brumbies are scheduled to play trial matches against the Waratahs and Hurricanes in early February before taking on new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and the Crusaders in an opening week blockbuster on February 15.