What we learned: Blues v Brumbies

3 Nic White

2 Peter Kimlin

1 Christian Lealiifano

Ten months of nightmares ended when the Brumbies got revenge against their 2012 destroyers the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday night. It’s no wonder the Brumbies belted out their team song and distracted Blues coach Sir John Kirwan during his press conference. Finals spots were on the line. But it was also a chance to get some redemption for the way the Blues ruined the Brumbies’ dream season last year. The Blues knocked the Brumbies out of playoff contention with a last-round win in 2012. The painful memory of that day at Canberra Stadium was used as motivation to get better in the pre-season. While the Brumbies still have some work to do before they secure a play-off berth, beating the Blues was the first step to erasing their 2012 demons.

The Brumbies have struggled in the past two months to win tight games when the result was in the balance. They won just three of eight games, had two draws and three losses in their past eight games. They failed to secure results against the Southern Kings, the NSW Waratahs and the Canterbury Crusaders despite being in winning positions. But they finally got things back on track when they held on to ice the result against the Blues. It will be a much-needed confidence-booster with the finals race heating up. There are just three games remaining in the regular season. The key stat for the Brumbies is if they win all three, they’ll play finals for the first time since 2004.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans snubbed Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White when he named his 25-man squad for the British and Irish Lions series last weekend. The only No.9 he named was Will Genia. White is clearly the second best scrumhalf in Australia. But it looks increasingly likely Deans is set to pick Luke Burgress, who turned his back on Australian rugby to chase a lucrative deal in France and still isn’t playing Super Rugby. White gave Deans a reminder of his skill. His kicking game was crucial in giving the Brumbies a 14-0 first-half lead. He also scored the only try of the first half.

All Blacks back Rene Ranger was the man who sparked the Blues after the break and got them back in the contest. He put a massive hit on Nic White, which jolted the ball loose and got his teammates fired up. Just minutes later the Blues were peppering the Brumbies’ line and it was Ranger who evaded four defenders to get the Blues’ first try of the game.

The Brumbies have three games left – two at home against the Wellington Hurricanes and Melbourne Rebels before finishing on the road against the Western Force. The equation for a finals berth is simple – win all three and you’re in. But that’s where the Brumbies failed last year. They fell at the final hurdle and missed a golden opportunity to strike. They’ll be determined to rectify the errors of their past. Their rivals in the next three games are ranked well below them and games they should win. The challenge for the Brumbies is staying focused.