Defence and flair topple leaders
High-spirited Brumbies shock undefeated Chiefs
THE Brumbies overcame a preparation disrupted by an outbreak of mumps to beat the Chiefs 26-14 in Super Rugby yesterday in Hamilton, ending the Chiefs’ threematch unbeaten start to the season.
The Brumbies shocked the Chiefs with their intensity in attack in the first half and defence in the second and by departing from the rolling mauls which have been the feature of their play this season.
Stung by a loss last week to the Dunedin-based Highlanders, who scored their winning try after the fulltime siren, the Brumbies overwhelmed the Chiefs, scoring three tries to lead 19-0 at halftime and another to lead 26-0 after 43 minutes.
The Chiefs hit back with two tries of their own in the first 15 minutes of the second half but the comeback stalled in the face of some desperate Brumbies defence, led by centre Tevita Kuridrani.
Hookers Connal McInerney and Lachlan Lonergan won crucial turnovers late in the match to stem Chiefs attacks while others died in the face of relentless tackling.
Frustrated Melbourne coach Dave Wessels says his Super Rugby team failed to win the “big moments” in their disappointing 36-24 loss to the Sharks in Ballarat.
Playing their first match in country Victoria, the Rebels were looking to back up their impressive breakthrough win over the Waratahs.
They were in the hunt early on before being outplayed by the Durban-based side, with Springboks winger Makazole Mapimpi scoring two of his side’s tries.
The Reds clocked up their biggest Super Rugby total, scoring 10 tries to thump Japan’s Sunwolves 64-5, in their first game at home this season. James O’Connor was in complete control at No.10, while Jock Campbell shone at fullback.