Brumbies are Wallabies’ Backbone for Bledisloe Clash
As the Bledisloe Cup nears, discussions are peaking on whether players from the Brumbies camp, considering that 10 of them are suiting up for the Wallabies, can make a big impact on the team's performance or not.
With the likes of Joe Roff and Owen Finegan, there was a significant participation from the Brumbies in the squad of 2002 which last saw Bledisloe glory.
A proud Brumby himself, Roff took humour of the fact that only 10 Brumbies were included in the Roster of the Wallabies for the highly anticipated match on Saturday, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
But he was earnest of stating that the Brumbies' primary objective was to breed players that can compete for the national side.
''It might not be a coincidence [the last time Australia won the Bledisloe the side was dominated by Brumbies],'' Roff intimated to SMH.
''I think it provides the best chance Australia have in some time of taking [the Bledisloe] back.''
Finegan assents to Roff's observation. According to him, when the Brumbies were dominating the Super Rugby tournament in 2000-2004, it radiated to the national side.
It remains to be seen if the Wallabies could emanate from the ACT side's good form in the Super Rugby tournament for 2013.
Feeling nostalgic, Finegan felt positive because national team coach Ewen McKenzie opted to select players who are currently performing well, rather than basing selections on fame alone.
''I saw the article with Ben Mowen saying sometimes we're not bigger and we're not as athletic, and that was what our teams were about, it's about being a lot smarter and strategically playing better,'' Finegan disclosed to SMH.
''Hearing that sort of stuff coming out of the camp, I haven't heard it for a long time, it fills me with a bit more confidence.''
Brumbies who are going to start for the Wallabies for Saturday night's Bledisloe clash are Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano, Jesse Mogg, Ben Alexander, Steve Moore, and Ben Mowen. While Scott Sio, Scott Fardy, Nic White, and Tevita Kuridrani, are named as reserves.