The Brumbies have won a fast, physical match in Sydney, with a Joe Tomane hat-trick securing a 26-20 victory.
Photos courtesy of Keith McInnes photography.
The Match
The Brumbies came out firing, and thanks to a strong some and some enterprising backline play they immediately got on the front foot. They opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes, with Joe Tomane scoring a try after a great switch in play from the visiting backline. It was looking ominous for the Tahs, with the Brumbies looking superior in every facet in the early stages.
Tomane would score again just a few minutes later, with Christian Lealiifano and Stephen Moore executing a lovely wrap-around move in the Brumbies half, which freed up space for Matt Toomua, who put the big winger away. The try went unconverted but the score was 12-0 and the Brumbies were charging.
The Waratahs had possession and territory, and worked into the game gradually. Despite a few frustrating errors, they found space from a turnover on halfway, with Will Skelton finding Jed Holloway in space, who bounded into the 22 and threw a nice pass to put Reece Robinson over in the corner. A much-needed score, and with Bernard Foley hitting a wide conversion the margin was back to five.
The game was heating up, with both sides playing a fast, physical style. The Waratahs edged closer with a Foley penalty after some enterprising play, narrowing the scoreline to 12-10. They took the lead soonafter, with the Tahs converting a broken-up defensive line into a Kurtley Beale linebreak, with Andrew Kellaway supporting beautifully before throwing a pass to put Israel Folau over next to the posts.
The half was far from over though, and a Skelton error from the kick-off gifted the Brumbies territory, and they made the Waratahs pay from a lineout maul. Stephen Moore was the tryscorer, and the Brumbies edged back in front, 19-17. This was a great half of footy. The Tahs finished the half hard on attack, but a spilled ball from Matt Carraro out wide cruelled their chances of adding to their score before halftime. 19-17 at oranges.
The second half began slowly, as if both sides had decided to take it a bit easier after the frenetic pace of the first half. Both sides had chances, but it was the Brumbies who struck first blood, Tomane chalking up yet another try after the Brumbies found space out wide off a lineout maul. The Brumbies were going for the throat, and repeatedly turned down kickable penalties to keep the pressure on the home side. The Waratahs defence held firm, though.
With time ticking away, the Waratahs once again worked into the game and had plenty of chances to score. But the Brumbies’ defence was well-organised and proved tough to crack. They began throwing everything at the Brumbies, and with eight minutes to go they went too far, with Wycliff Palu yellow-carded for a reckless cleanout attempt. This was offset four minutes later with a yellow card to Jarrad Butler for a very cynical hand in the ruck. Foley slotted a penalty with three minutes to go to pull within striking distance.
The final minute was frenetic, with the Waratahs working into the Brumbies 22, with the winning try within grasp. But a knock-on by Paddy Ryan ended the locals hopes, and saw the Brumbies chalk up a memorable victory.
Random Observations
What a ripper of a match. It was fast, it was skilful, it was physical. We witnessed the spine of the Wallaby side, and they didn’t disappoint.
This win was built on the Brumbies defence. They were accurate and had the measure of the Waratahs forward ball-runners all night. Tevita Kuridrani, Sam Carter and Scott Fardy were the heroes here, making a bunch of big hits.
Joe Tomane has locked in a Wallaby shirt, if he hadn’t already. He’s in great form and was a menace every time he touched the ball.
They won’t make the finals, but the Waratahs have unearthed some great young talent this season. Jed Holloway was good again, and Tom Robertson’s starting debut was impressive, holding his own against Scott Sio. Andrew Kellaway had some very nice touches too. The future is looking bright.
One of the big positional battles of the night was at inside centre. With a Wallaby jersey up for grabs, both Kurtley Beale and Matt Toomua were heavily involved throughout the night. I thought Beale was sensational, and easily the Tahs best. Toomua also had a really good game, and still has the inside running to start against England. But if Kurtley’s good form continues, he may come into calculations, especially as Toomua is moving offshore in 2017.
This was the best game Aiden Toua played this year. He is in some ways the weak link in the Brumbies backline, which is more of a reflection on them than him. But he had a number of nice involvements and is growing into the 15 jersey.
Once again the Tahs just struggled for go-forward in tight. Will Skelton was their shining light here, playing the best he has all year. But once he went off, the locals were outmuscled.
The Brumbies are still on a collision course with the finals, and while I wouldn’t be preparing the town for the victory celebration, I can’t see why they can’t make a very deep finals run. There is so much class in that side, and they just had an extra gear tonight the Tahs didn’t.
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The Game Changer
It’s hard to identify one moment in a see-sawing game. Joe Tomane’s third try ended up being the difference, so I will say that, though Wycliff Palu’s yellow card was also telling.
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The G&GR MOTM
There were plenty of good performances tonight, and I may cop some heat for this but I’m giving it to Kurtley Beale. Made space every time he touched the ball, and was the best player out there. Brumbies had plenty of good performances though- Lealiifano, Tomane, Moore, Carter and Fardy were all good.
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Wallaby watch
Other than the 12 battle (covered above), I thought Christian Lealiifano showed Michael Cheika what he is capable of in the 10 shirt. He controlled the game well and played a big role in the Brumbies success. Jed Holloway keeps standing out, too.
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The Details
Crowd: 25,319
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”] Brumbies 26
Tries: Tomane 3, Moore
Conversions: Lealiifano 3
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[one_half last=”yes”] Waratahs 20
Tries: Robinson, Folau
Conversions: Foley 2
Penalties: Foley 2
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Cards & citings
YC – Wycliff Palu (dangerous clearout), Jarrad Butler (hands in the ruck)
