Brumbies hold on to beat Hurricanes

Australia’s Brumbies gave the Hurricanes their third straight Super rugby loss by beating the New Zealand side 24-12 in Canberra at Gio Stadium in Canberra.

The Brumbies victory ends a losing streak of 13 against New Zealand Super rugby teams.

The match is the third straight loss for the Hurricanes who have failed to score more than 14 points in their last three Super rugby matches.

The Hurricanes hold on to fourth place in the overall Super rugby standings as they still have the second highest number of points while the Brumbies move provisionally into 9th place.

The match was a lot closer than the scoreboard suggests as the Hurricanes led 5-12 at half time and they were in the contest until the 76th minute when Andrew Muirhead scored a try for the Brumbies which meant the visiting side would have to score twice to win the match.

The game got started quickly with the Hurricanes winning the ball back after the kick and forcing the Brumbies back into their redzone.

A Brumbies line-out became a quick reminder to get started as Hurricanes TJ Perenara darted forward to intercept a long pass and draw first blood. Jordan Barrett converted to give the visitors a full 7-point lead within the first five minutes.

The Brumbies heard the message and immediately pushed forward to the Hurricanes end zone and began to probe the defence. Moments later, the ball quickly made its way to the far side of the field where Kyle Godwin found the end of the trail and burst through to score in the corner.

Christian Lealiifano couldn’t quite find the angle but the team took heart from claiming their own points.

The Hurricanes returned the pressure putting the pressure on down the right-hand side where Julian Savea found some space and despite Joe Powell’s best efforts, found the touch line and stretched their lead another five points after Barrett couldn’t replicate his earlier kick.

The Brumbies had their work cut out for them and gave it their all with Rory Arnold making a tantalising run down the middle but a fumble from a hurried pass meant a turnover and they found themselves back on their heels soon. Despite the threatening presence of the New Zealand based squad, the Brumbies defence held firm and repelled the visitors a number of times.

The Brumbies made a convincing push with five minutes left in the half but after referring to the TMO, referee Nick Briant decided it was a knock on, the Hurricanes made their way up the field to end the half leading 12-5.

The Brumbies came out strong and before 2 minutes were up, Folau Faingaa burst through the maul to score the Brumbies 1000th try.

Christian Lealiifano found his touch and converted the try to bring the score level at 12 all. Hurricanes did their best to respond but some first-class defence from the Brumbies put the player into touch before the ball was down.

Andy Muirhead made a powerful run down the line followed by Powell’s quick thinking to kick long saw fans on their feet, but they were defeated meters from the line where they couldn’t pick it up. The Hurricanes forced their way back up the field but were held out successfully by the home side.

Another Muirhead break put the Brumbies right in front of the line only to see another hurried pass dropped in attack. Moments later however, a penalty in the tackle gives the Brumbies the ball back and the giant Rory Arnold smashed through the defence to land the teams third try of the night. Lealiifano struggled to find the space between the posts, but the home side were in front on the scoreboard.

After the kick off, a dangerous tackle from Blade Thompson saw the Hurricanes down to 14 men and the Brumbies surged forward. With a line-out 5 meters from the line, the home side tried their luck with a short throw only to lose the ball into touch.

A great kick from Henry Speight saw the ball make it back into the Hurricanes redzone and then, after winning the ball back the Brumbies started turning on the pressure on. After a set-back put the Brumbies back at the half-way line, Godwin broke the Hurricanes ranks and made an impressive kick that he then collected and slide over the line but unfortunately failed to score after losing the ball at the last second.

Muirhead took another run after receiving the ball from a fresh Matt Lucas and found his way all the way to the line only to be held up. The Brumbies were however awarded a penalty and after a scrum on the 5-meter line Lealiifano sent a long pass out wide to Muirhead to who crossed in the corner for the final try of the match which Lucas converted.

Next week in the 18th round the Brumbies travel to Hamilton to play the Chiefs while the Hurricanes host the Blues at home in Wellington.

Final Score Brumbies 24 (5) Hurricanes 12 (12)

Scorers

Brumbies
Tries – K.Godwin, F.Faingaa, R.Arnold, A.Muirhead
Pen –
Con – C.Lealiifano, M.Lucas
Drop –
Cards –

Hurricanes
Tries – TJ Perenara, J.Savea
Pen –
Con -J.Barrett
Drop –
Cards – B.Thomson (54th min yellow)

Match Officials
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 1:Will Houston
Assistant Ref 2: James Leckie
TMO :  Ian Smith

Teams

Brumbies

Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Andy Muirhead, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Powell, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Tom Cusack, Blake Enever, Rory Arnold, Ben Alexander, Folau Faingaa, Scott Sio.

Replacements : Connal McInerney, Nic Mayhew, Les Leuluaialii-Makin, Richie Arnold, Darcy Swain, Matt Lucas, Wharenui Hawera, Lausii Taliauli.

Hurricanes

15 Nehe Milner-Skudder , 14 Julian Savea , 13 Jordie Barrett , 12 Ngani Laumape , 11 Ben Lam , 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop , 9 TJ Perenara (c) , 8 Gareth Evans , 7 Sam Henwood , 6 Reed Prinsep , 5 Sam Lousi , 4 Michael Fatialofa , 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen , 2 Ricky Riccitelli , 1 Toby Smith

Replacements : 16 James O’Reilly , 17 Chris Eves , 18 Marcel Renata , 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere , 20 Blade Thomson , 21 Jamie Booth , 22 Ihaia West , 23 Wes Goosen