Super Rugby
Brumbies maintain finals belief: Ben Mowen
ESPN Staff
May 25, 2014
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Bulls 44-23 Brumbies (Australia only)
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The Brumbies know defeat by Melbourne Rebels at GIO Stadium on Saturday will all but extinguish their Super Rugby finals hopes, having slipped out of the top six after back-to-back losses in South Africa, but Ben Mowen says grand final victory is "still at the forefront of our minds".

The 21-point loss to the Bulls on Friday is their biggest defeat since 2011, and their third loss in four matches since impressing against the Chiefs, and they now have only home derbies against the Rebels and Western Force wither side of a visit to Sydney to play New South Wales Waratahs in which to ressuccitate their season.

"I don't think it matters which way you get to the finals, you just want to get there," Mowen said after the loss to the Bulls in Pretoria. "The goal isn't to make the finals. The goal is to win the competition, and that's still at the forefront of our minds.

"Whether we were in this position or not, you'd want to win the last three games anyway, so our path doesn't change. We just have to make sure we're up for the challenge. We're not going to get caught ladder watching."

Christian Leali'ifano said: "We're trying to get back and play footy but it's just not happening. I feel like we're doing all the right things, but we need to find a way to click into gear."

Jono Ross bagged a brace as the Brumbies slumped to their equal-worst defeat in South Africa since 1998 © Getty Images
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