Inside this week’s mindset: Clarity, connection, and a group determined to move forward

There are some weeks where the review room is filled with a lot more hard and honest conversations than usual, and this was one of them.  

Everyone knew the Brumbies performance wasn’t us, and it didn’t take long for the boys to sit down, watch it back, and acknowledge that.  

It wasn’t about overthinking moments, it was simply about being honest with ourselves and taking stock of where we’re at.  

We’ve looked in the mirror, and we’re better than what we showed. That’s been the fuel this week – not frustration, just a genuine hunger to reconnect with the clarity and connection that define us when we’re at our best. 

Our Captain Dave watched the game pretty quickly, and he didn’t shy away from how tough it was to see the moments where things slipped.  

“We created a lot of opportunities, we just didn’t really ice them, that was the disappointing thing,” he says.  

“But the good thing was we created them.” 

That was the theme that stuck – the chances were there, the shape was there, the intent was there, but the finishing touches weren’t. Against a good side, those moments sting.  

“We pride ourselves at home and that probably was another aspect that was most disappointing how we let a home game slip away from us like that,” says Head Coach Rob Penney. 

“But it is what it is, and we've just got to move on and deal with it,” he says. 

But what’s stood out the most this week is how steady the leadership group has been. No panic, no excuses, just a collective shift toward simplicity and accuracy.  

“We’re just trying to find our rhythm at the moment. A clear mindset is what we’re after,” Dave says.  

Penney has taken the same approach. His tone all week has been grounded – confident in the group, direct about what needs tightening, and unwavering in his belief that things can shift quickly. 

Reducing errors, building consistency on both sides of the ball, and tidying key controllables has been the focus.  

“We're just an eight-cylinder motor running on 6 cylinders at the moment. And when we get it right, we'll be away,” Rob says. 

He knows the character of the people in this group. They’re proud, determined, and they care deeply about getting it right. 

Even in areas where the numbers weren’t where we wanted them, the conversations have stayed constructive.  

It’s never just one thing, never just one player. There are controllables that need to be better, and everyone has taken their part in that.  

What’s been clear is that none of this has dented belief. If anything, the honesty has strengthened it. Dave spoke about leadership not in big speeches or dramatic moments, but in action: playing well, driving standards, and helping the group move forward together. 

“It’s a collective effort,” he says.  

“Coaches and leaders have a big role, but it comes down to each individual getting their mindset right and nailing what they need to do.” 

And now the Chiefs await. A rival with threats everywhere, All Blacks across the park, and a style that tests every part of our game. 

“We don’t take the Chiefs lightly at all. We know exactly what they pose,” Dave says. 

Training has reflected that. The detail has been good and the energy has lifted. There’s been a real sense of connection forming again – a reminder of who we are and how we want to express ourselves.

This isn’t a group dwelling on what went wrong, it’s a group walking forward with purpose. 

We’ve looked in the mirror, we’ve understood what needs to shift, and now it’s about clarity and connection.  

The response is what matters, and the boys are ready to show it come 7.05pm on Saturday in Hamilton.