Just watched the game again. Thoughts:
- What a great game. The highest standard Aussie derby I've seen in years. Crunching defence, enterprising attack, competition at the set piece, brilliant work at the ruck. Both teams chanced their arm from everywhere, and both teams are legitimate title chances.
- Brumbies returned to what made them so successful last season- physical breakdown work, great kicking game, good set piece and the ability to convert their chances when they get them.
- Tahs shouldn't be too disheartened. They went within a whisker of winning the game, and considering it was Canberra and they were down by 14 at one point (I think) it was a decent effort.
- The lineout wasn't as scrappy as I remembered it, both sides won their own ball but also had a few dodgy ones. Tahs lineout wasn't a shambles, though it wasn't great.
- How good was Potgeiter? Almost MoTM for mine. Made an impact with everything he did, turning out to be a great buy.
- Who won out of Mogg and Folau? Not sure. Both turned it on and played belters. If I had to pick a winner I'd say Mogg, but by a nose.
- To'omua had a great game, and so did White. This was where the Brumbies won the game, because I thought Phipps and Foley were below their best, in both attack and defence.
- Hooper and Fardy were both brilliant as well.
I thoroughly encourage everyone to watch the game again if they can. It was a great ad for rugby, and will make you feel good about the Wallabies chances later in the year.
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