Brumbies injury toll mounts

The Super 14 is in its first week, yet the Brumbies' injury toll is mounting after their 34-3 drubbing at the hands of the Crusaders in a wet Christchurch on Friday.

The Super 14 is in it's first week, yet the Brumbies' injury toll is mounting after their 34-3 drubbing at the hands of the Crusaders in a wet Christchurch on Friday.

The Canberra-based franchise are already without the services of Wallabies Stirling Mortlock, Mark Chisholm and Clyde Rathbone.

To make matters worse, the experienced duo of Adam Ashley-Cooper and Gene Fairbanks limped off the field in the first half.

Ashley-Cooper has an ankle injury, whilst Fairbanks took a knock to the shoulder.

Brumbies coach, Laurie Fisher will be holding thumbs that the injuries aren't too serious, as he cannot afford any more casualties so early in the competition.

Fisher was adamant that his injury-ravaged side would learn from the defeat.

“We were up against a quality side and Dan Carter conducted the orchestra pretty well,” he said.

“But that said, we defended well through the first half and we created two try-scoring opportunities.

“I think the weight of possession and field position told in the second half, we started getting tired, they pushed on and there's your ball game,” the coach said philosophically.

“We matched up physically pretty well, they got some yardage out of their pick-and-drive but I think we worked pretty well through that part of the game,” he went on to say.

Fisher said his new halfback combination of Holmes and Lealiifano would benefit from Friday's experience.

“They [Lealiifano and Holmes] went okay but the main thing is that they got some good experience in high-pressure positions,” he said.

“But you've got to remember you're talking about a guy making his debut and a guy with a handful of games, so they'll be better for the run and it's now about continuing to improve week in, week out,” Fisher said.

Lealiifano and Holmes have big boots to full at the Brumbies, with George Gregan and Stephen Larkham bowing out last year for the most successful Australian franchise in Super Rugby history.

The Brumbies next game is against the Highlanders in Canberra on Saturday, February 23.