Danny
27-02-2005, 10:09 PM
Suffered a grade two MCL sprain.
Pain turns to pleasure for Brumbies
By Greg Growden
Sunday, February 27, 2005
RUGBY HEAVEN
Body on the line: ACT Brumbies skipper George Gregan tackles Canterbury's Aaron Mauger last night.
Photo: Chris Lane
It was a match the Brumbies shouldn't have won.
In the replay of last year's Super 12 final, ACT were without Matt Giteau, and during the first half, lost two other vital attacking players - captain Stirling Mortlock and Test winger Clyde Rathbone through injury.
The Brumbies appeared doomed, as their backline, usually chockful of Test talent, was now abundant with no-names, and they were confronting the most unforgiving of New Zealand opponents.
Despite all these enormous setbacks, the Brumbies somehow rallied, played exceptional football, and achieved one of the most courageous of Super 12 victories, which had the desired effect of giving their new leader Laurie Fisher the most rousing of starts to his career as head coach. It was also right up there as one of ACT's most memorable wins, which not surprisingly relied heavily on five-eighth Stephen Larkham's absolute control of the midfield.
But there was a downside to all the Brumbies euphoria, as they are certain to be without Mortlock for several weeks after suffering a grade-two medial strain, while there are doubts over the fitness of Rathbone, who had a serious head knock. This is on top of Giteau being unavailable for another fortnight with a broken hand, while Test skipper George Gregan will miss the next round, as he is leaving for London tonight for the International Rugby Board tsunami benefit match at Twickenham next weekend.
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Although ACT's courage cannot be disputed, and their win impossible to discount, they did receive an enormous leg-up from their opponents. The Crusaders are not renowned for losing their way, but last night were at times just plain awful. Their handling was underwhelming, and they had enormous problems keeping hold of possession at the breakdown. A lot of that was due to the pressure of the Brumbies forwards in tight.
The Crusaders attack, often highlighted as one of the best in world football, were often caught flat-footed, and they failed to match the enthusiasm of their opponents. Young blood certainly worked for the Brumbies, with newcomers - inside-centre Gene Fairbanks, and replacements Lenny Beckett and Sam Norton-Knight - immediately handling the extra pressure.
For Fairbanks it was a special moment. After being discarded by the Queensland Reds, he came to Canberra to revive his footballing career. He did more than that last night, scoring a try, but as importantly was involved in numerous attacking moves. The Reds must now be ruing that they let Fairbanks go, as he performed last night as if he had been playing Super 12 for years, rather than just boasting one previous appearance for Queensland two seasons ago.
"When I came to Canberra, I hoped to get the occasional game," Fairbanks said last night. "But to score a match-sealing try on my debut for the Brumbies . . . well I couldn't have scripted it any better."
Still, Fisher admitted to getting a bit edgy just before half-time when he had to watch two of his best attacking players leave the field.
Mortlock was the first to go in the 19th minute, followed several minutes later by Rathbone.
BRUMBIES 32 (S Fava 2, R Samo, G Fairbanks tries; M Gerrard 3 goals, pen, S Mortlock pen) beat CRUSADERS 21 (A Mehrtens, C Laulala, J Marshall tries; D Carter 2 pens) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: M Lawrence.
Pain turns to pleasure for Brumbies
By Greg Growden
Sunday, February 27, 2005
RUGBY HEAVEN
Body on the line: ACT Brumbies skipper George Gregan tackles Canterbury's Aaron Mauger last night.
Photo: Chris Lane
It was a match the Brumbies shouldn't have won.
In the replay of last year's Super 12 final, ACT were without Matt Giteau, and during the first half, lost two other vital attacking players - captain Stirling Mortlock and Test winger Clyde Rathbone through injury.
The Brumbies appeared doomed, as their backline, usually chockful of Test talent, was now abundant with no-names, and they were confronting the most unforgiving of New Zealand opponents.
Despite all these enormous setbacks, the Brumbies somehow rallied, played exceptional football, and achieved one of the most courageous of Super 12 victories, which had the desired effect of giving their new leader Laurie Fisher the most rousing of starts to his career as head coach. It was also right up there as one of ACT's most memorable wins, which not surprisingly relied heavily on five-eighth Stephen Larkham's absolute control of the midfield.
But there was a downside to all the Brumbies euphoria, as they are certain to be without Mortlock for several weeks after suffering a grade-two medial strain, while there are doubts over the fitness of Rathbone, who had a serious head knock. This is on top of Giteau being unavailable for another fortnight with a broken hand, while Test skipper George Gregan will miss the next round, as he is leaving for London tonight for the International Rugby Board tsunami benefit match at Twickenham next weekend.
advertisement - story continues below
Although ACT's courage cannot be disputed, and their win impossible to discount, they did receive an enormous leg-up from their opponents. The Crusaders are not renowned for losing their way, but last night were at times just plain awful. Their handling was underwhelming, and they had enormous problems keeping hold of possession at the breakdown. A lot of that was due to the pressure of the Brumbies forwards in tight.
The Crusaders attack, often highlighted as one of the best in world football, were often caught flat-footed, and they failed to match the enthusiasm of their opponents. Young blood certainly worked for the Brumbies, with newcomers - inside-centre Gene Fairbanks, and replacements Lenny Beckett and Sam Norton-Knight - immediately handling the extra pressure.
For Fairbanks it was a special moment. After being discarded by the Queensland Reds, he came to Canberra to revive his footballing career. He did more than that last night, scoring a try, but as importantly was involved in numerous attacking moves. The Reds must now be ruing that they let Fairbanks go, as he performed last night as if he had been playing Super 12 for years, rather than just boasting one previous appearance for Queensland two seasons ago.
"When I came to Canberra, I hoped to get the occasional game," Fairbanks said last night. "But to score a match-sealing try on my debut for the Brumbies . . . well I couldn't have scripted it any better."
Still, Fisher admitted to getting a bit edgy just before half-time when he had to watch two of his best attacking players leave the field.
Mortlock was the first to go in the 19th minute, followed several minutes later by Rathbone.
BRUMBIES 32 (S Fava 2, R Samo, G Fairbanks tries; M Gerrard 3 goals, pen, S Mortlock pen) beat CRUSADERS 21 (A Mehrtens, C Laulala, J Marshall tries; D Carter 2 pens) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: M Lawrence.