Two tries: Jesse Mogg
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The Brumbies opened their Super Rugby account with a solid 24-6 win over Australian conference rivals the Reds in Canberra on Saturday.
It wasn't pretty, in fact at times it was down right ugly.
But in the end, the Brumbies got the job done and it was a case of sweet revenge for the men from the Aussie capital after bowing out of last year's competition following their defeat to the Queenslanders.
Brumbies full-back Jesse Mogg bagged two tries and kicked two penalties for the home side, ending the match with a personal haul of 16 points.
The Reds, however, were kept try-less thanks to the Brumbies' rock-solid defence and could only manage two penalties through Mike Harris in the first half.
It was Harris who opened up the scoring early on in this dour encounter, before Mogg put his side in front after collecting Nic White's grubber kick to score in the corner. Christian Lealiifano was unable to add the extras from far out, and struggled to find his target with his first penalty shot soon after.
Harris - who had also been misfiring at goal - eventually landed his second penalty that saw the visitors lead for a short while, until White took over the goal-kicking for the Brumbies to help his team-mates to a slender 8-6 advantage at the break.
The scrappy encounter didn't get any better, but Brumbies fans weren't complaining as Ben Mowen's troops kept themselves ahead with two futher penalties from Mogg.
With the Reds needing to score twice to win and time running out, White then sealed the deal for his team with his second penalty of the night 40m out.
Looking for a consolation score, the Reds attacked from inside their 22 only for Mogg to intercept and hammer the final nail in the Queenslanders' coffin with a last-minute try.
The scorers:
For Brumbies:
Try: Mogg 2
Con: Prior
Pen: White 2, Mogg 2
For Reds:
Pen: Harris 2
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Clyde Rathbone, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 David Pocock, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Ruaidhri Murphy, 18 Colby Faingaa, 19 Fotu Auelua, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Joseph Tomane, 22 Robbie Coleman.
Reds: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Aidan Toua, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 3 James Slipper (c), 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16 Albert Anae, 17 James Hanson, 18 Ed O'Donoghue, 19 Jarrad Butler, 20 Nick Frisby, 21 Jono Lance, 22 Chris F'Sautia.
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Comments
markpat says...
Regarding the tackler not rolling away, the onus is on the tackler not to get in that position by trying to prevent the tackled player placing the ball, thereby making it available to the poaching #7 - hence, cheating and illegal so rightly penalised.
The Reds gameplan for 60 minutes seem to be kill the ball at the rucks constantly and kick away any possession they might get. The final 20 they actually looked a bit more threatening, but it was just as poor a game as the article made out, at least for neutrals.
I really hope something makes Rob Simmons attempt to play some rugby, though, rather than just looking to start tiny scuffles then looking like he's about to cry when he gets told off.
Posted 14:06 18th February 2013
Ramage says...
I suppose living for so long in the powerhouse of Oz , The West Im used to things getting done and done quickly . Oh well spose I'll get used to the slow backward lifestyle of the banana benders where things move much more slowly and they live on their past glories. The Reds play the Waratahs at Suncorp oh dear there is only one team worse than the Reds and if I was there I'd have to shout for the Reds and that would be humiliating. Plus I dont know what you look like. I picture you but then so many other XXXXers all look like that. One day you just might feel that spittle and you will know Im close.
Posted 13:39 18th February 2013
new_j4a says...
@isthatrightref , yup got it in one. Just a little sledging for Trinats. I just finished downloading the games and can't wait to watch tonight. @Trinats, I know of at least one saffa that loves to watch him play...he does spice it up a bit and life would be boring is there were 10 Dan Carters out there.
@Ramage, you should check your company's expat policy. There may be a hardship allowance to compensate for Brisbane's primitive conditions and cultural isolation?
Posted 12:40 17th February 2013
Trinats2 says...
Ramage
I can see you fitting into the Queensland life style already ! Stop the whinging or move back west. Or god forbid, move back to NZ, lol.
Get ur missus with an Australian accent, and not your kiwi one, to talk to telsta and it will be on within the hour !!!
Kick back have a beer, less stress and put your feet up, you're in gods country now.
See you at suncorp on Saturday !
Posted 12:03 17th February 2013
Trinats2 says...
Justice4
Sometimes that's all it takes from Cooperman to win a game, unfortunately this time it was an intercept. Not a big deal he had to try something chasing the game, and if it came off, he would be still an ass H as far as kiwis and Saffas are concerned, which is why we love him !!!
Posted 10:36 17th February 2013
Uglea says...
Always frustrating to see the players trying to "one up" there mates and the usual shirt pulling. Can't see why refs or coaches would let those things go on.
Posted 10:15 17th February 2013
Ramage says...
No comments on the game as having moved to Brisbane I am still waiting to have my internet and phone line put in. Only been waiting since the 13 of January. what sort of third world state is Queensland, that it takes so long for them to get things done. After that it will probably be another month before Foxtel will be in place. Geez things move very slowly in Queensland and despite my first comment cant help slipping in the point that its just like the way their side played on Saturday.
Posted 10:08 17th February 2013
JayStarr says...
Oh yes, and since I criticize the referees quite often, I feel it is necessary to say that both Australian referees were very good this weekend. Well done guys, keep it up.
Posted 09:54 17th February 2013
JayStarr says...
This game wasn't nearly as terrible as the writer of this article tries to make it out to be. As a first game of the season it was never going to be polished from either side, but it was everything but boring to watch. There were some earth-shattering tackles, a great comeback by Clyde Rathbone, a brilliant try by Mogg, David Pocock vs. the referee and many scuffles between Nic White and Saia Faingaa. And the Brumbies beat the Reds quite convingly. I call that value for my money.
Posted 09:52 17th February 2013
MacTavish says...
The Reds are a Flash in the Pan.. Dont see any Titles going back to Brisbane anytime soon...
Posted 05:39 17th February 2013
Trader2 says...
I thought QC said he was sizzling in the lead up to this game, I think he should stick to boxing. Finishing order for the Oz conference will be 1. Tahs 2. Brumbies 3. Rebels 4. Reds 5. Force. Stuck my neck out on the Tahs I have never picked them before but could be this year, the Force could surprise and knock the Reds to last place.
Posted 05:31 17th February 2013
isthatrightref says...
@ new_j4a... I strongly suspect you're just trying to wind up the master baiter, but in fairness to Cooper had the pass (which appeared to drift forward) hit its target there was at least the possibility of 7 points & a losing bonus point at the other end... so a better option than kicking it out (twice) in the dying minutes when only a few points behind like the (Saffa, needless to say) Farce 5/8 did on Friday...
On the subject of Friday, JOC has obviously tired of the Bieber & Vanilla Ice jibes so has gone all gansta, looks like Xzibit off Pimp My Ride... & may want to talk to Piri Weepu about how to drop a few kilos between now & the Lions' arrival.
2 games, neither of them classics but then they seldom are in R1 are they?
Posted 22:48 16th February 2013
Fitzy says...
I'd love to know how a tackler who gets on the wrong side is supposed to 'roll away' when he's got 5 other blokes lying on top of him.Basically,the opposition forwards just have to keep him there and they earn a penalty.I'm afraid we're going to be talking about referees as much as rugby again this year.It's not their faults either - it's all the ridiculous technical penalties in the ruck area.It destroys rugby as a spectacle.I just want to watch rugby.Not constant replays during stops in play trying to decipher who may or may not have been on their feet or used their hands
Posted 14:46 16th February 2013
RugbyOrDie says...
Harris is better than his kicks missed suggest, got a cheeky bet on Brumbies to go all the way.
Posted 14:39 16th February 2013
new_j4a says...
Was Cooper just involved in that last minute assist?
Posted 14:33 16th February 2013
melkdave says...
Good game and Brumbies deserved winners in the end,ref was fine,there was alot of players going off feet at rucks ,but thats down to rustiness i expect.Nice to see S15 back
Posted 14:23 16th February 2013
daibok says...
Welcome back Super rugby. 2 very different games this weekend. Enjoyed both. I think the Aussie conference is going to be tough this year.
Posted 13:54 16th February 2013
Trinats2 says...
The better team won. Wouldn't say it was a "canter" for the Brumbies. It was a tough encounter, as they always are with Aussie derbies.
Strange game plan in the first half by the reds, kicking ? Maybe trying to use the wind too much, only started to play when they were chasing the game. Keep the ball in hand ! They lacked leadership.
Ref was fine, made a couple of mistakes in favour of the home team, but that's rugby, Reds will get the rub of the green in the return game.
Congrats Brumbies, excellent defence, deserved win.
Posted 12:59 16th February 2013
kiwilad says...
Preest, Trinats is MAD...
Posted 12:49 16th February 2013
Rambo59 says...
Wow, .............what a game with the Reds back to their scintillating try scoring best of last year playing breath taking end to end rugby
Posted 11:58 16th February 2013