Brumbies winger Corey Toole is a key player in the team’s campaign to win the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific title. Photo: Tim Gavel.
A few years ago, a sign in the Brumbies’ meeting rooms addressed the club’s values. At the bottom it simply said: “No shit blokes.”
I don’t know whether it is still there, but the messaging remains the same, where no one player is bigger than the team itself.
It speaks to the culture of the organisation that has been able to maintain this ethos virtually since its inception in 1996.
It was on display for all to see in the 33-31 loss to the Crusaders, where the Canterbury team led 25-14 at half-time after dominating in every aspect of the game, only to face a resurgent Brumbies side in the second half and the result was in the balance until the end.
The buy-in from the playing group has been obvious all season.
What I have observed is the collective team approach from all players, wingers to props, on and off the field.
Winger Corey Toole explained the ‘one club mentality’ as the team prepares to face the Hurricanes on Saturday night in a quarter-final.
“Coming to training on Monday and spending it with your mates is the best feeling,” he said.
“We do a lot of things together. Everyone is humble. There’s a good culture, and it translates onto the field.”
And respect for the leadership group comes through loud and clear.
“We have great leaders with players such as Slipps, Allan, Ryan and Tom, they set the standards really high and you don’t want to disappoint them.”
Corey Toole: “There’s a good culture and it translates onto the field.” Photo: Jayzie Photography
Fellow winger Andy Muirhead also believes the culture within the playing group has set the side up for success.
“Everyone gets along really well. You can see we are a tight-knit group.”
Muirhead and Toole have become attacking weapons across the park, with the tradition of wingers staying anchored on either side of the field long discarded in the Brumbies’ game plan.
The vision of Muirhead putting his body on the line against far bigger players is something to behold and lifts his teammates.
Andy Muirhead has demonstrated an incredible work ethic for the Brumbies across his 100-plus games. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
Muirhead says, “I was told as a teenager that I was too small, but I think if you put everything into it, size doesn’t become a factor.”
It is not easy to put into words the reason why the Brumbies have had greater success than teams such as the Reds and the Waratahs, which both possess greater catchment and corporate support.
The comments from Corey Toole and Andy Muirhead offer a glimpse into this often unknown world, where the success of sports teams is created not so much on game day, but in what takes place away from fans and the media glare.
The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies are ready to kick off their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Finals campaign this Saturday, 7 June, hosting week 1 at GIO Stadium. Kick off at 7:35 pm. Get your tickets at Ticketek.
Original Article published by Tim Gavel on Region Canberra.
