Star back says his side needs to have plans A through to Z if they are to win the title this year.
It won’t go down in the history books as the epitome of running rugby, but for the ACT Brumbies’ Pat McCabe, victory was all that mattered against the Sharks this weekend.
Played in heavy condition in Canberra, the Brumbies based much of their game-plan around kicking and playing the waiting game.
All of which adds up to plenty of time of the ball being in the air and not much time seeing it cross the try-line for the few hardy spectators there on the night.
However, McCabe said if they can bring home the Super Rugby title this year, a game and victory such as that over the Sharks could be vital in their preparation for the knockout games.
“I am sure it was a pretty ugly match to watch but it was a gritty win and we stuck to our plans going into the game,” McCabe said.
“Often times in finals those are the sort of kicking strategies you need to win the tight games against certain opponents or in certain conditions, so it’s good to know we have that game up our sleeve if we need it.”
In all a staggering 93 kicks were put up between both sides, two more than the 2007 World Cup final, which has been judged in some circles as one of the most boring games in recent history.
ACT kicked the ball for almost six times the distance than they ran it, with 1425m of territory coming int he air and just 250m along the ground.
McCabe said the victory, no matter how it came about, was a positive step for the side that they could put last weekend’s disappointing performance against the Crusaders in the rear-vision mirror.
“We definitely felt satisfied win the win. It was a really strong team performance, and one we needed after a disappointing loss to the Crusaders a week earlier,” McCabe said.
“You can’t afford back to back losses in this competition, so just getting back on the winning track was a big positive.”
Though victorious, Brumbies dropped from second to third overall behind the Sharks and Chiefs, and will now travel to South Africa to play the Cheetahs and the Bulls.
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