Brumbies: On top at the Cake Tin
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The Brumbies staged a great fightback to beat the Hurricanes 37-25 and dealt their hosts what could be a major blow in the race for the top six.
Down by nine points (16-25) with 30 minutes of the match remaining, the visitors hit back with 21 unanswered points to end an entertaining encounter on top.
The men from Canberra were fresh off a bye and continued to impress even without in-form pivot Christian Lealiifano, with his replacement Zack Holmes putting in a quality performance that will no doubt have coach Jake White sleeping easier at night.
History was certainly against the Brumbies, who had not won across the Tasman since 2009. But form prevailed as White's troops bagged a four-try bonus point for their efforts that gives them plenty of breathing space at the top of the Australian conference.
The Hurricanes also managed four tries, however a disappointing day with the boot cost them as Andre Taylor, who did add one conversion and a penalty, and Beauden Barrett missed a number of chances between them to let the visitors off the hook.
Holmes had no such problems and he opened up his account with an early penalty before adding the extras when number eight Fotu Auelua powered over from close range after eight minutes.
Livewire scrum-half TJ Perenara hit back for the Hurricanes as he sniped over down the blindside after a textbook catch and drive from the pack.
Holmes and Taylor exchanged penalties but it was the Hurricanes who moved into the lead when a superbly crafted move off a scrum saw Victor Vito crash over.
That saw the home side lead 15-13 at the break - and they must have thought it was game over when they struck twice in quick succession after the interval.
First Perenara put the Hurricanes in control after an excellent finish - the 19-year-old showing brilliant vision from the base of the ruck to leave the Brumbies defence trailing in his wake.
And although Holmes reduced the deficit with a penalty, replacement prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen made an immediate impact off the bench for the home side when he burrowed his way over.
However the Hurricanes were made to pay for switching off when Scott Fardy broke through some weak tackling, with the lock finding partner Sam Carter with the scoring pass.
And worse was to follow for the Hurricanes as they coughed up possession from their own scrum, with in-form flank Michael Hooper driving over to put the Brumbies in front.
Missed tackles then allowed Holmes to cap a superb display with the bonus point try - with the fly-half also adding his fourth conversion of the night.
The scorers:
For Hurricanes:
Tries: Perenara 2, Vito, Toomaga-Allen
Cons: Taylor
Pens: Taylor
For Brumbies:
Tries: Auelua, Carter, Hooper, Holmes
Cons: Holmes 4
Pens: Holmes 3
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Jack Lam, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Beauden Barrett, 22 Jayden Hayward.
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Fotu Auelua, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Ben Mowen (c), 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Ruaidhri Murphy, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 Ita Vaea, 20 Nic White, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Tevita Kuridrani.
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Comments
2EyedKiwi says...
@Chicka. While I agree that the Brumbies are playing well, your comment "but the bigger point is that the Brumbies have proven that they can beat the top sides in New Zealand and South Africa away from Canberra" is a little off the mark don't you think?
The only NZ/SA team they've beaten away from Canberra are the Hurricanes (4th in the NZ conference) and the Lions (last...).
Posted 08:52 20th May 2012
sandal says...
Some of the Aussies here are being a bit too bullish, to my mind. Understandable, perhaps, when your team has come back from 13-25 to win the match by a distance.
The Brumbies look a well-drilled team, certainly, but for the most part they are little more, and they simply took what was given to them. And before anyone says I am being anti-Brumbie, know that I took them at 13-1 to win their conference.
The Canes should be kicking themselves. They had the winning of this game comfortably, and they practically threw it at the Brumbies. We see Andre Taylor given the kicking tee so he can show the AB selectors his versatility. We see Toomaga-Allen, deep in the Brumbies 22, trying to offload like Sonny Bill, and laughing when he loses possession. You shouldn't see it on the training ground. The Canes conceded three soft tries in the second half, the first of which must go down as the most dismal of the season.
People must know I don't like Mark Hammett, but if I were him I would have been throwing furniture in the changing room afterwards. I pity the likes of Conrad Smith, as honest and capable a rugby player as you can find, trying to make progress with this bunch.
That was simply awful. And these guys are now going to feel the absence of Cory Jane. It was notable how much shape the Canes lost without him, and how much less effective Taylor was on the wing
.
Posted 02:33 20th May 2012
Chicka says...
Another point to consider - were it not for the criminally culpable refereeing decision that gifted the Bulls the game against the Brumbies in South Africa, Brumbies would currently be in second spot on 48 points and the Bulls would be fourth on 44 points. Now it is a pointless exercise arguing about "what ifs", but the bigger point is that the Brumbies have proven that they can beat the top sides in New Zealand and South Africa away from Canberra (you will recall that in that "loss" to the Bulls they out-scored the Bulls 5 tries to 2). It will be very interesting indeed to follow their performances during the finals stages ...
Posted 19:58 19th May 2012
Chicka says...
Another point to consider - were it not for the criminally culpable refereeing decision that gifted the Bulls the game against the Brumbies in South Africa, Brumbies would currently be in second spot on 48 points and the Bulls would be fourth on 44 points. Now it is a pointless exercise arguing about "what ifs", but the bigger point is that the Brumbies have proven that they can beat the top sides in New Zealand and South Africa away from Canberra (you will recall that in that "loss" to the Bulls they out-scored the Bulls 5 tries to 2). It will be very interesting indeed to follow their performances duuring the finals stages ...
Posted 19:58 19th May 2012
bokrocker says...
Jake has an incredible technical mind which was demonstrated long before he became the springbok coach. He won the u21 title, Tri Nations and of course the World cup. During his reign as Springbok coach the Boks did not lose a single Tri Nations match or other test in South Africa and will we ever forget that year when we defeated the Ausies 3 times. SARFU deserves no respect at this time seeing that it is more concerned with the bussiness of brownnosing race obsessed politicians than with doing what is best for Rugby and South Africa. Saffas have been complaining about theses blokes for years but sadly with no effect. The last coach was certainly a sure sign of how much South African rugby had gone backwards.
Posted 10:50 19th May 2012
Trader2 says...
BDAUSSIE I never bought it up I am just responding to those numnuts who jump up and down with excitement everytime an Oz team manages to win. As you quite rightly said one conference has to be the weakest. Not sure about some Oz teams not being weak - just look at the ladder Oz teams 9, 11, 12 and 13 as we go to print. No case to answer really.
Posted 10:35 19th May 2012
2EyedKiwi says...
Hooper was outstanding, but his coach and medic need an uppercut for leaving him on after being KO'd. By age 45 he'll be in a wheelchair eating food through a straw if coaches are allowed to let that stuff carry on.
@Wallaroo - sadly you are correct. The Aussies are looking hot at the last couple of weeks. Combing the Warratahs scrum with the Brumbies broken play, and the Reds attack, could be interesting.
@BokAvenger. Yet another cruel example of the SARU absurdity of letting Jake White go...
Posted 03:22 19th May 2012
Wallaroo says...
@All Saffas, Have to say Whites demonstration of what a good coach he really is, is also a reflection of how stupid and arrogant the powers in SARFU are.
Posted 01:49 19th May 2012
Wallaroo says...
With you Chicka all the way. 3 years is too long bring in "Gelignite" Jake right now. Let's just hope that O'Neill has the balls, although I doubt it.
Posted 01:46 19th May 2012
TominHongKong says...
Another win from the 'weak' Australian conference and more disparaging comments from the Kiwoids.. A bit of John Eales-style humility needed for you guys.Remember you won two World Cups at home...then only just [the last one] May even buy a Kiwi a drink in Wan Chai.....they are usually too tight to buy anyone else one anyway ! Have a great weekend one and all !
Posted 01:24 19th May 2012
BDAUSSIE says...
@ Trader...mate what are you, the "Australian conference is the weakest" guy? Quit flogging a dead horse and give yourself an uppercut.
One conference has to be the worst each year. This year the Aus conference is statistically the worst. I think what some people are saying is that the teams arent exactly "weak" teams as some people were suggesting earlier in the tournament.
Posted 00:20 19th May 2012
spliffed says...
Amazing.. I seem to recall the trash talked about Jake White a few years ago.. The stupid rush defense (as employed by most teams now) etc.. A few people eating humble pie me thinks.. if man enough to admit it. Read his book even if you are not a fan of Jakes or South African rugby.. With the interference and threats etc that he worked under as Bok coach, seeing him with a free hand is marvellous.. Was just looking at the table for last year. Brumbies 33 points after 16 games.. this year already 44 after only 11.. pretty impressive
Posted 19:49 18th May 2012
Trader2 says...
Well @Dybull look at the table the Brumbies have got top spot wrapped up but it is still the weakest conference. The Brumbies have looked the goods right from the start and have always been my favourite for the top Oz spot. Lets face it they have got a WC winning coach working with a bunch of talented, eager youngsters (okay not you Stephen Moore) and they will be hard to beat. The tough thing for the Brumbies is that they will most probably finish 3rd and then if they win the Qualifyer at home they then travel to either SA or NZ for the semi. The Brumbies will not be afraid of going to NZ, they have the best record there of any Aussie team I believe. So in reality Dybull a semi finalist could come from Oz, (and it will only be the Brumbies) but it doesn't mean that the overall conference is not weak.
and
@Wallaroo mate please read above - one good team does not make for a strong conference, the Reds are improving but won't make it, your Tahs are just plain hopeless, the Rebels play above themselves on occassions and show promise and the Force, well we won't go there.
Posted 16:09 18th May 2012
Carpelone says...
@ Ramage
Yet, there is a lot of potential for the Canes. Defensive structures will come soon.
Posted 16:03 18th May 2012
Carpelone says...
..the sooner the WC will be back at its natural home in OZ....
Cheeky Chicka.
Posted 16:01 18th May 2012
Ramage says...
Hammett's team showed their true colours, yellow not gold Trinuts, and were taken out by a team that used their nous and played a much better controlled game. A big win for the Brumbies and the fact that Zack Holmes played so well makes me have to eat humble pie. Don't you just see the difference in the coaching of White and Hammett coming through. The Brumbies thinking and contrlling the game.The dishevelled mess they left the Hammett Hurricanes in.says quite a lot.
Posted 14:21 18th May 2012
Chicka says...
You are looking at the 2012 champs - no doubt. Remember when the Brumbies won their first title they were a team of no-ones and other club rejects with a star out-of-the-box coach in Eddie Jones. This side is pure quality. Jake White in three years? No chance ... The sooner they get rid of that pathetic excuse for World Cup sabotaging NZ mediocrity and sack Dingo in favour of Gelignite Jake, the sooner the WC will be back at its natural home in OZ.
Posted 13:56 18th May 2012
Wallaroo says...
Excellent. Good to see the "weak Aussie conference" leaders winning so comprehensively.
Posted 13:44 18th May 2012
Rugbyphile says...
Fitness and wanting desperately to win -symptoms of a good coaching team
Posted 13:12 18th May 2012
Carpelone says...
I got this one!
Posted 12:45 18th May 2012