3 minute read
The Brumbies can take an important step towards securing a Super Rugby finals berth with a bonus-point win against wooden-spooners the Sunwolves in Tokyo.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has revealed his backline is firing thanks to some mid-season tweaks from assistant and former Waratahs star Peter Hewat.
The Brumbies are on top of the Australian conference with three Super Rugby rounds to play on the back of set-piece dominance and enterprising backline play.
Winger Henry Speight and outside centre Tevita Kuridrani have been major benefactors with their red-hot form helping the Brumbies to win five of their past six games.
McKellar believes the duo's prolific try-scoring warrants Wallaby recalls for the September World Cup.
"Speight is benefiting off the good work of those inside him in both attack and defence," McKellar said.
"Our backs have clicked. (assistant coach) Peter Hewat has done a really good job there.
"We did a thorough review a couple of months back, in and around our decision making and option taking, and I think our backs have got that right.
"Speight benefits off the back of that, as has Tev. He's also in a really good place. They're happy and, if Fijians are playing with a smile on their face, they're generally playing well."
Kuridrani notched a hat-trick last weekend against the Bulls to boost his season tally to nine. Speight has four tries this campaign.
The Brumbies can all but secure their finals spot with a win on Saturday against the bottom-placed Sunwolves.
A bonus-point victory in Tokyo will take the Brumbies to 39 competition points, which was good enough for seventh last season. Eight teams play finals.
It would also mark the Brumbies' eighth win in 2019. The Sharks played finals last season with seven wins - the first year Super Rugby returned to 15 teams.
The Brumbies are heavy favourites to extend their unbeaten run against the Sunwolves.
They missed finals for the first time since 2012 in McKellar's first season last year, but look set for a return having already fulfilled their Wallabies' resting requirements.
The Brumbies can be temporarily overtaken in the Australian conference by the Rebels (33 points), who host the NSW Waratahs on Friday.
The Waratahs (26 points) remain a mathematical finals chance but that will evaporate unless they beat the Rebels.
The Waratahs also still have to rest Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons and Sekope Kepu to comply with the Wallabies' pre-World Cup program.
The Brumbies have been boosted by scrumhalf Matt Lucas extending his contract until the end of 2020.
"I've loved every minute so far. The playing group we've got here is something I don't take for granted and I'm so grateful to be able to be a part of this team for at least another season."
