Brumbies match-winner Luke Reimer’s powers of evasion came in handy again on Monday when he was hit with a question from left-field after his two late tries sealed a win in Fiji.
Reimer was the outstanding player of the round in an explosive start to the new season, coming up trumps late in the game.
At a media conference on Monday, Reimer was told that some online commenters had likened his impact to a “prime George Smith” – the Brumbies and Wallabies legend, and the franchise’s greatest No.7.
Understandably, Reimer wasn’t having it.
“That’s pretty far-fetched,” he responded. “I’ve got to make a few more headlines before I get to his level. Nowhere near George at the moment.”
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Reimer has more immediate comparisons to be going on with. For all his decisive impact against the Drua, it’s a tough gig being a Wallabies No.7 contender, with Fraser McReight blocking the path and Carlo Tizzano also impressing in recent seasons.
He has performed strongly off the bench but prefers starting, while stressing he was happy to play whatever role required by Stephen Larkham.
“At the end of the day it’s whatever the team needs. We trust in Steve that his game plan will be the right one,” said Reimer, who came up with two big plays in his own half before the try double after the Brumbies fell behind.
“Whether starting or finishing, we’ve just got to get on with it and know our jobs and execute our jobs.”
It was a first visit to Fiji for the Brumbies and they became the first Australian team to win an SRP game there – despite Larkham gambling with his selection.
“It’s definitely a different experience going over there,” said Reimer.
“But it was great to come away with the win. Really impressive, the boys digging deep there, holding that composure and walking away with that. We’ve shown in previous years that we know how to close our games.
“So we had that mindset just to not panic too much. Trust in our systems, our process and do what we need to do to walk away with the win.”
The Brumbies had six debutants feature against the Drua, and Reimer hailed what that said about the club’s depth this season.
“It’s huge. To have that confidence when some of the senior guys go down with an injury or we have to filter in rotation, it’s settling that we’ve got those guys who are capable and able,” he said.
This week the Brumbies will be at full strength when they host Western Force, who won their own late thriller, against Moana Pasifika.
Reimer and co will come up against a familiar face when Darcy Swain packs down against them.
They’ve already faced the Brumbies old boy in a pre-season trial, where Swain apparently shrugged off attempts to unsettle him.
“I know Darcy will be looking to catch some boys off-guard, so just being switched on around that is going to be a huge thing for us,” said Reimer.
“I was giving him a little bit in that trial, but he didn’t give me anything back, which is a bit disappointing! That was a trial, and this is one that matters, so he’ll be coming out ready to go and trying to prove a point – that he’s made a good decision to go over there, so we’ve just got to be primed for that.”