Seven-try Brumbies thrash Fijian Drua

The Brumbies thrashed Fijian Drua 42-3 in a messy Super Rugby Pacific clash at GIO Stadium, Canberra.

The Brumbies wracked up seven tries to nil as they shut out the inexperienced Fijian Drua in round two of Super Rugby Pacific.

The Canberra men spread the tries around scoring three in the first half and four after the interval.

Lachlan Lonergan, Tom Banks, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Rob Valetini, and Jesse Mogg all dotted down for the bonus-point winning Brumbies in the Australian capital.

Mogg bagged a late three-minute brace in opposite corners on the ground to cap a welcome return, and seal a convincing victory for the two-time Super Rugby champions.

Noah Lolesio and Ryan Lonergan both had a day to forget from the kicking tee. Lolesio landed a penalty and two conversions, while Lonergan missed all his attempts.

Both kickers, however, assisted a try apiece for Mogg’s quick-fire double, while Lonergan also assisted for Wright’s try.

Caleb Muntz added the only points for the islanders from the tee.

Brumbies start strong but Fijian Drua keep them in check

Dan McKellar’s charges took a commanding 20-0 lead after 25 minutes, and it should have been more but for some poor decision-making and handling near the opposition’s try line.

Lachlan Lonergan, Banks, and Ikitau all crossed for the hosts, while a mixed day from the tee saw Lolesio kick a penalty and make only one conversion.

The hooker crashed over from close range after Lolesio’s penalty to make it 8-0 on 10 minutes.

Banks raced down the righthand touchline from behind the Brumbies’ 10m after Andy Muirhead was taken out after the pass by Vinaya Hobosi.

The fullback beat Tevita Ikanivere, Baden Kerr, Apisalome Vota, and Simione Kuruvoli to score his 32nd Super Rugby try. Again the conversion was no good, hitting the post.

At the start of the second-quarter the hosts struck again when Ikitau collected his midfield partner’s pass, and cut inside to score his eighth Super Rugby try. Lolesio found his range.

Lonergan should have another try, but Darcy Swain knocked-on on the goal-line in a previous pick-and-go. The score was rightly chalked off.

Such was the home team’s dominance, that near the end of the opening half, the Brumbies had spent more than five minutes on seven attacks inside the visitor’s 22.

In contrast, Mick Byrne’s inexperienced team only spent four seconds. This changed at the end when Muntz kicked a 37th-minute penalty to putr his side on the board.

Brumbies struggled to control the game, but ground down Fijian Drua after the bench took control

Wright went over untouched in the corner nine minutes after the restart to increase the lead, but Ryan Lonergan – after taking over from the misfiring Lolesio – could not convert.

A good scrum ended with Wright taking Ryan Lonergan’s pop-pass, and scoring his 18th Super Rugby try in the corner untouched.

The winger should have had a second soon afterwards, but Jahrome Brown’s poor pass killed the try-scoring opportunity.

Valetini crashed over on 55 minutes after a pick-and-go following another devastating driving maul was brought down illegally. Lonergan was wide.

Lolesio, back on kicking duty, found his range to make it 32-3 as McKellar’s men secured the bonus-point with a two-try cushion.

Byrne’s men did not give up though; instead, they enjoyed a lot of possession inside the opposition’s 22.

The hosts conceded too many penalties and could not get out of their ‘red zone’.

Ratu Rotuisolia burrowed over after a good driving maul set-up an attack on the goal-line, but Tom Ross held him up.

The South Sea Islanders kept coming; however, mistakes in the 22 proved costly. Eventually, the hosts found space on the outside to get their sixth score with three to play.

The returning Mogg collected Lolesio’s long cut-out pass to dive over in the corner after Muirhead’s break from a Nic White pass.

Mogg added the dagger as the hooter sounded to bring up the forty-burger.

Final Score: Brumbies 42 (20) Fijian Drua 3 (3)

Scorers

Brumbies
Tries – L. Lonergan, Banks, Ikitau, Wright, Valetini, Mogg (2)
Pen – Lolesio
Con – Lolesio (2)
Drop –
Cards –

Fijian Drua
Tries –
Pen – Muntz
Con –
Drop –
Cards –

Match Officials
Referee: Reuben Keane
Assistant Ref 1: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 2: Damon Murphy
TMO: Brett Cronan

Teams

Brumbies

15 Tom Banks, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Andy Muirhead, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Nick Frost, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 James Slipper

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Ed Kennedy, 20 Jahrome Brown, 21 Nic White, 22 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 23 Jesse Mogg

Fijian Drua

15 Baden Kerr, 14 Onisi Ratave, 13 Apisalome Vota, 12 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 11 Vinaya Hobosi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Nemani Nagusa (captain), 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Vilive Miramira, 5 Ratu Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Kaliopasi Uluilakepa

Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Timoci Sauvoli, 18 Saulo Romumu, 19 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 20 Meli Derenalagi, 21 Joseva Tamani, 22 Peni Matawalu, 23 Napolioni Bolaca