'Ignore haters': Brumbies back maul ball

The Brumbies have no intention of changing their game plan despite coming under criticism for playing boring rugby.

Brumbies

The Brumbies are happy to keep scoring tries with their formidable rolling maul despite criticism. (AAP)

The Brumbies are determined to "ignore the haters" and stick to their winning formula in an effort to break back into the Super Rugby finals.

The Brumbies were accused of playing "pedestrian" rugby by former Brumbies and Wallabies lock Justin Harrison after three of their four tries against the Blues came from rolling mauls last weekend.

Brumbies assistant coach Laurie Fisher slammed those criticising their style of play on Monday and winger Toni Pulu doubled down on Tuesday.

The club is frustrated by the criticism considering their strong form over the past month. The win against the Blues took them equal top of the Australian conference with the Melbourne Rebels.

"I don't mind how we score and I love it when the forwards score," Pulu said.

"It's hard to even get one maul try these days but that's our strength this year and the backs are happy with our forwards, they're world-class players.

"We're just happy to win, it doesn't matter how we do it. ...as long as we end up scoring we're happy and we'll just ignore the haters."

The Brumbies (5-6) likely need to win three of their remaining five games to play finals for the first time since 2017.

Scottish import Murray Douglas has been one of the club's unsung heroes, helping to fill the void left by injured back-rowers David Pocock, Lachlan McCaffrey and Rob Valetini.

Douglas said the Brumbies would be sticking to their guns for the clash against the Sunwolves at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

"We go in every week with a game plan and teams have to play to their strengths and the maul has been a strength of ours," Douglas said.

"I wouldn't say it's boring rugby, it's playing to your strengths and analysing opposition and seeing where you can score your points.

"I'm a tight-five forward primarily so it's always pleasing when you get over with a maul try, but that's not to say we're not capable of scoring elsewhere."


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Source: AAP



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