The Brumbies Kiwi hoodoo continued as they went down to the Auckland Blues 18-12 in Canberra. The Brumbies never really troubled the Blues, save for a brief period in front on the scoreboard with the weight of possession and territory against them and a huge missed tackle count counting against them.
The Blues big ball runners made tough going for the Brumbies as they made easy metres and secured a valuable bonus pint win as the Brumbies didn’t get much ball and could not cross the line and had to settle for four penalty goals.
The Match
The Blues had all the ball for the opening ten minutes following a knock on from Nic Mayhew in his own 22 to put his side under pressure. The Brumbies were able to hold them out from crossing the line despite around 14 phases and some big runs from Akira Ioane and Steven Luatua around the ruck but an offside penalty allowed Bryn Gatland, in as a late replacement for Piers Francis, to open the Blues account with a penalty goal.
The Brumbies finally got into the Blues half after 15 minutes and they responded with penalty goal to Wharenui Hawera to level the scores at 3-3 after Akira Ioane was judged to be off his feet at the ruck.
There was obvious intent form the Brumbies to go wide as early as possible to get around the big Blues forwards but their handling stopped any chance to exit their danger zone.
The Blues bombed one scrum with poor handling at the back from Pulu but the Brumbies couldn’t take advantage from a penalty as Hawera missed from a very handy position.
The Blues looked to have scored the opening try just after 20 minutes to Matt Duffie with a spectacular diving effort but a look from the TMO showed the ball was placed touch in goal with Tom Banks coming across in defence but the Blues were looking dangerous and getting easy metres across the park with George Moala and Akira Ioane in particular proving a real handful as the Brumbies missed tackles stat ticked over to 30 in as many minutes.
The possession and territory was heavily against the Brumbies and eventually the pressure was too much and Matt Duffie wouldn’t be denied this time to score. Gatland could not convert to leave it at 8-3.
The Brumbies had limited chances in the first half and their best chance came from fullback Tom Banks who found a gap down the right wing but he couldn’t link up with Henry Speight who knocked on.
There was one last chance for the Brumbies to hit back before the break as the opted for the lineout instead of an easy three points after the half time siren but the Blues defence held strong as the Brumbies collapsed the maul and were able to come away unscathed to leave it at 8-3 at the break.
The second half started much better for the Brumbies with a good counter attack from Tom Banks leading to a second penalty goal for Hawera after three minutes.
They hit the lead at 9-8 after Hawera’s third penalty but the lead wouldn’t last for long as the Blues gave the Brumbies a dose of their own medicine with a driving maul try to Akira Ioane that was not converted to leave it 13-9.
With about 20 minutes to go, the Blues discipline in their 22 started to become an issue and Hawera landed his fourth penalty of the game to make it a one-point game.
The Brumbies exit plays again let them down with an easy penalty for the Blues as they swarmed all over the ball carrier. A couple of scrum penalties later and the Blues had their third try of the night as Duffie hit an inside pass to Melani Nanai to make it 18-12 with ten minutes to go.
The Blues looked to close out the game with some great ball control in close that didn’t allow the Brumbies any opportunity to secure a turnover.
There was one last chance for the Brumbies to steal an unlikely victory as they received a penalty and worked their way down into the Blues half but their charge was ended by a knock on from captain Sam Carter which summed up their game tonight.
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The Game Changer
The Blues weren’t really troubled but when they did fall behind briefly, they went up another gear to get back into the game with Akira Ioane’s try. [/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
Akira Ioane – Caused havoc whilst he was on the field and his ability to make easy metres in contact off a standing start gave the Blues good front foot ball. Also bagged a try in his 60-odd minutes.
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Wallaby Watch
A tough night for the Brumbies Wallabies contingent with Sam Carter and Scott Fardy having to put in a lot of work around the ruck.
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The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BRUMBIES 12
Tries:
Conversions:
Penalties: Hawera 4
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[one_half last=”yes”]BLUES 18
Tries: Duffie, A. Ioane, Nanai
Conversions:
Penalties: Gatland
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Cards
Nil
Crowd
12,072
Photos courtesy Tim Anger
