Bulls hit by 14-man Brumbies — play-off hopes in doubt

● The Bulls made a mess of what looked like a negotiable job and their Super Rugby playoff hopes are now in doubt.

To add insult to injury for the Bulls, two late tries for the Brumbies by Tom Banks and Andy Speight that settled this uninspiring match and ensured the much-needed victory, were scored with the Australians a man down after the red card to Folau Faingaa.

This is the second loss on the trot for the Bulls after last week’s defeat by the Jaguares in BuenosAires and coach JohnMitchell will have to find a formula soon to motivate his players for the remainder of the round robin.

The Bulls got the scoreboard ticking with a try by flyhalf Handrè Pollard, and he found the middle of the poles from the conversion.

The Bulls’ lead was short-lived as Kyle Godwin touched down and Christian Lealiiffano levelled with the conversion.

The home side responded shortly afterwards with their second converted try of the match by Roelof Smit.

On the stroke of half time Lealiiffano missed an opportunity to bring the Brumbies to within a point of the Bulls when he missed a penalty. The Brumbies assumed the lead three minutes after the restart through a try by Lechlan McCaffrey followed by a conversion by Lealiiffano but the Bulls levelled matters through a penalty by Pollard.

The Bulls pulled away again when Kotze touched down but Pollard missed the mark for the first time on the afternoon.

Pollard recovered his scoring touch minutes later when he converted a penalty but the Brumbies scored their third try through Folau Faingaa with Lealiiffano converting to come within a point of the Bulls.

After the red card, Pollard scored a penalty but the Brumbies replied with two converted tries by Banks and Speight.