James Slipper in Christchurch preparing to take on the Crusaders. Photo: ACT Brumbies.
The Brumbies produced a performance for the ages on Sunday afternoon breaking a 26-year hoodoo against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The Brumbies’ 50-24 win will go down in history as one of the greatest performances by a team written off at the start of the season against the defending champions away from home.
James Slipper, Ryan Lonergan, Rob Valetini and Andy Muirhead were outstanding as the Brumbies ran in eight tries in between repelling wave after wave of attack from a Crusaders side littered with All Blacks.
What made this performance even more remarkable was the absence of skipper Allan Alaalatoa and Nick Frost, hot on the heals of the departures of Noah Lolesio, Tom Hooper and Len Ikitau following the conclusion of last season.
Few outside the Brumbies’ inner circle expected the Canberra team to be playing as well as they are at the moment, running in 106 points in the first two games.
The Brumbies now take on four-times champions the Blues on Saturday at Canberra Stadium in their opening home game.
In the wake of the Brumbies’ start to the season, there is an expectation of a decent crowd.
This is where Rugby Australia enters the equation, having taken control of the Brumbies.
Questions will no doubt be asked about Rugby Australia’s attitude towards promoting the Brumbies in Canberra.
It has to be said, from my viewpoint, there has been little in the way of a promotional campaign with minimal awareness in the city that the season is even underway let alone heading into the third round with the Brumbies flying.
The Brumbies are practically invisible, outside those with a close eye on the code.
This is partly due to the lack of free-to-air coverage, with Super Rugby the only major football code in Australia without a free-to-air deal. Instead, fans are forced to find it on the streaming service, Stan.
Compare this lack of exposure to the community awareness of the Raiders and it’s a non-contest with considerable buy-in from the NRL when it comes to marketing.
Given they control the Brumbies, including the purse strings, the ball is very much in Rugby Australia’s court.
The Brumbies deserve better, especially when Steve Larkham has this side humming.
The ACT Brumbies kick off their first home game of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season against the Blues on Saturday, 28 February, at 7:35 pm. Get your tickets from Ticketek.
