Back to basics for Brumbies against Rebels

CANBERRA, April 10 AAP – Five-eighth Christian Lealiifano says the Brumbies will be going back to basics for their Super Rugby clash with Melbourne after an error-riddled performance against Queensland last week.

The Brumbies gave up their unbeaten record at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, going down 20-13 to the defending title champions after conceding a whopping 27 turnovers.

Up against the Rebels before a two-week trip to South Africa, Lealiifano said the local derby loomed as a must-win match for the Brumbies, who have a tenuous two-point hold atop the Australian conference ladder.

“(Coach Jake White) said we’ve got to stick to what we’re doing and what we’ve worked hard on for the past nine months,” Lealiifano said.

“Once we step outside that, that’s when I guess all those turnovers and mistakes happen, so if we just trust in our systems, we’ll be right.”

Key on the agenda will be limiting the impact of the Rebels’ big three, with James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale and Danny Cipriani all in damaging form in their first game together to upset the Blues 34-23 last week.

“If we let them do their own thing then they’re going to be hard to stop,” said Lealiifano, who admitted the Rebels will be coming to Canberra on a high.

“They’re going to be definite threats, but hopefully we can minimise their involvement.”

Lealiifano, who has firmed as the Brumbies’ chief playmaker following a season-ending knee injury to first-choice No.10 Matt Toomua, said he was keen to be shouldering more of the leadership responsibilities.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a stand-out season so far despite rotating between five-eighth and inside centre, and admitted his hopes of national selection were high.

Meanwhile, Brumbies winger Henry Speight admitted he needs to lift his game to prevent being overshadowed by some of his less-seasoned teammates, including NRL convert Joe Tomane, who has scored three tries in just four Super Rugby matches.

“Yeah I’m probably two tries short, but competition is really good for the Brumbies,” Speight said.

“I’d like to get more involvement and more touches, just more influence on the game would be good.”

Both Speight and Lealiifano currently remain locked in negotiation with the Brumbies to extend their contracts.

Lealiifano said he’d love to stay in the nation’s capital – despite some pressure from his mother back home in Melbourne.

“Mum’s really the only one putting a lot of pressure on me to go back, but I’m just trying to tell mum I’ve got to do what’s best for my footy,” he said.

“She supports that.”

Publisher: AAPNewswire

10 Apr 10:07 PM