Injured Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles says accusations of softness from coach Tony Rea should fire up the struggling team for Saturday's Super Rugby clash with the Western Force.

Rea delivered one of the great public sprays by a coach against his own team following the embarrassing 29-20 home loss to the last-placed Lions on Saturday, saying they lack fight when the going gets tough.

Out of action all season with an Achilles injury, Wallabies forward Hoiles said the mood in the dressing room after Saturday's loss was the worst he'd experienced - and that was before hearing of the coach's comments at his post-match conference.

"The guys felt gutted and probably humiliated," said Hoiles on Monday.

"I have never been in a dressing room that was as quiet as the one on the weekend.

"Forget about the comments said, the players know things need to improve."

Hoiles agreed the side's performances - for a 2-9 record - during the season warranted criticism.

"We can't hide from that there were some harsh things said by our coach, that's the reality we are facing at the moment," he said.

"We have got no one else but ourselves to blame.

"We just have to move on and if we can't respond to that, who knows what we can respond to."

Rea did not spare anyone, declaring the Brumbies had too many people and an organisation that makes too many soft decisions too often.

Assistant coach and Brumbies great Stephen Larkham said Rea's comments would provoke some soul searching among players and staff.

"I guess Tony sees things in a certain way," Larkham said.

"They're interesting comments for everyone involved in the organisation.

"We all have to a bit of a look at ourselves and make sure we are doing what's necessary to make this organisation successful."

Larkham guided the side as five-eighth during the golden era in Canberra but the Brumbies are now at the other end of the table, sitting third last.

"The season, realistically, is one of the worst the Brumbies have ever had," he said.

The Wallaby great took over as attack coach this season but said the side had not sparked for several reasons.

"Individual errors, an understanding of the game, the overall gelling of the team," he said.

"We have made some changes from week to week, which doesn't necessarily help the continuity of the team.

"It is not just one thing you can pinpoint to."

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