Andy Muirhead, a reliable member of the Brumbies, plays his 100th game for the team. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
As running metres go, with and without the ball, I would argue that no other player in Super Rugby covers more ground in 80 minutes than Andy Muirhead.
In commentating games this season, I felt as though I was calling his name more than any other player, save for the halfback, fly-half and fullback.
Watching games back on replay, it became increasingly obvious that it wasn’t an illusion – he was everywhere with a tangible involvement.
His work ethic probably has its origins eight years ago when he drove from Brisbane to Canberra seeking an opportunity with the Brumbies in what he described as the last roll of the dice if he was to crack it as a Super Rugby player.
He starred for Royals in the John I Dent Cup before forcing his way into the Brumbies, and the rest is history, running out for his 100th Super Rugby game against the Reds last weekend.
Andy has never forgotten the support provided by the Royals Club. He’d often run the water if he wasn’t playing.
Andy Muirhead has demonstrated an incredible work ethic from the minute he arrived in Canberra. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
Apart from assessing his involvement in Brumbies games, I have also looked at how he compares with other wingers in the club’s Super Rugby history.
He is living proof that you don’t need to be the biggest to succeed in Super Rugby.
At 84 kg, he is definitely one of the lightest wingers in Super Rugby history.
Fellow Indigenous player Andrew Walker, who lit up Canberra Stadium in his all too brief stint with the Brumbies in which he played just 26 games, weighed in at 87 kilos. His unpredictability was his greatest asset, although it was once pointed out that Walker could do anything on the field except follow a game plan.
The Brumbies’ legendary winger Joe Roff was a giant compared to Walker and Muirhead. At 192 centimetres and 100 kilos, he was a different style of player with the ability to use his bulk and pace.
Henry Speight, Mark Gerrard and Clyde Rathbone all had close to 15 kilos on Andy Muirhead.
I wonder how he would go against Jonah Lomu in his prime. Lomu was unstoppable at times as he hurtled his 120 kg frame into opposition wingers.
Purely hypothetical, I know, but I have a vision of Andy putting his body in front of Lomu and hanging on for dear life. Muirhead doesn’t shy away from any opponent.
What Andy provides that many other wingers don’t is the ability to be the extra man on the other side of the field.
Many wingers appear locked into their position, but in a similar vein to Ireland’s back, Mac Hansen, he has a strong desire to be involved.
This is one of the reasons why his value to the Brumbies cannot be underestimated.
The Brumbies’ next home game is against the Hurricanes on Saturday, 26 April, at 7:35 pm. Tickets from Ticketek.
Original Article published by Tim Gavel on Region Canberra.
