Jessie Mogg has regained his starting role for the Brumbies after being dropped earlier this season
Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg is using his Super Rugby axing to reignite his passion, admitting he took his position in the team for granted after being the first-choice No.15 for more than two years.
Mogg was benched for the Brumbies’ clash against the Melbourne Rebels in June, with coach Stephen Larkham opting to promote Wallabies warrior Pat McCabe to the starting XV.
But Mogg has regained his fullback jersey after McCabe was injured while on Wallabies duty, and the Wests speedster says being dropped was the wake-up call he needed to help the Brumbies’ charge to the championship.
“It was about me turning things around and working a little bit harder,” he said. “I’ve come back and played solid over the last two weeks, I’ll look to build on that into the finals series.”
“‘I’ve been in that fullback role for two-and-a-half years, it was a wake-up call I needed. It taught me a lot of things in terms of working hard for your position and not taking it for granted. I’m not happy with where my game is, but I think it’s going in the right direction.”
The Brumbies have made two injury-forced changes to their team for the qualifier final against the Waikato Chiefs at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.
Robbie Coleman is injected straight back into the starting side to replace Clyde Rathbone (hamstring) on the wing, while rookie prop Allan Alaalatoa will make his Super Rugby debut from the bench to replace Jean-Pierre Smith (knee).
Mogg holds his spot at the back, with McCabe being used as a second-half weapon.
The 25-year-old has had an up and down year. He was dropped from the Wallabies squad for the Test series against France and was then moved to the Brumbies’ bench for the first time in his three-year career.
“I guess I got stuck taking the jersey for granted a little bit,” he said. ”Looking back now, getting dropped was something I needed and it’s really been a positive so far.”
Brumbies head coach Larkham said Mogg had returned from his time with Wests a different person. He didn’t think getting dropped was a wake-up call for Mogg, but rather a chance to return to where it all began and re-focus on his strengths.
“From our perspective, little things were slipping, I think he probably lost a little bit of motivation there,” Larkham said.
“Getting back to club rugby and getting a feel for the passion behind the local community and Wests rugby, and seeing where it all started – he certainly came back a different person … it allowed him to sit back and re-focus on what his strengths are.”
The Brumbies haven’t lost to the Chiefs in Canberra since 2008, but the Chiefs beat the Brumbies 27-22 in the grand final last year.
The two-time defending champion Chiefs are determined to win three titles in a row and have made just one change to their team, with Dwayne Sweeney starting at fullback and Tom Marshall moving to the bench.
The Brumbies hit top form against the Western Force last week, securing their place in the finals with a seven-try demolition.
“But we’re not getting carried away … hopefully we can play some attractive footy,” Mogg said. “It’s the first week of finals, they’ve won it two years in a row and they probably haven’t had the best year. They’ve probably got a lot to prove to themselves and the public.”
“It’s going to be a tough game, a tight contest, and it’s not going to be a big score line. It’s about keeping it on our terms and building confidence and pressure.”
Super Rugby Play-Off Final:
Saturday: Brumbies vs Chiefs at Canberra Stadium:
Brumbies: 1 Scott Sio, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 3 Ben Alexander, 4 Leon Power, 5 Sam Carter, 6 Scott Fardy, 7 Jarrad Butler, 8 Ben Mowen, 9 Nic White, 10 Matt Toomua, 11 Robbie Coleman, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 14 Henry Speight, 15 Jesse Mogg.
Replacements: 16 Ruadhri Murphy, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Fotu Auelua, 20 Tom McVerry, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Joseph Tomane, 23 Pat McCabe.
Chiefs: 1 Jamie Mackintosh, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 4 Mike Fitzgerald, 5 Brodie Retallick, 6 Liam Messam, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 8 Liam Squire, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10 Aaron Cruden, 11 James Low, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 15 Dwayne Sweeney.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Nick Barrett, 19 Matt Symons, 20 Tevita Koloamatangi, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Tom Marshall.