The Brumbies have defeated the Melbourne Rebels 32–17 in a five-tries-to-two bonus point victory, to give a host of departing Brumbies players a winning send off in front of their home fans.
The match also marked the return of Rebels rebel Danny Cipriani and it appeared nerves had got the better of him as he knocked on in the opening minute. In his defence the pass he received was less than favourable.
The Brumbies opened the scoring in the fifth minute when fullback Christian Lealiifano slid through some weak defence down the Rebels’ left side to score.
The Rebels could have gone into their shell, especially after recent results, but to their credit they showed they were eager to play. Fullback Mark Gerrard regathered his own chip kick and and linked up with winger Richard Kingi, but was eventually tackled.
After pressuring the Brumbies in their own 22, the Rebels were unlucky not to score after centre Julian Huxley’s attempted drop goal rebounded back into play off the upright. They eventually settled for a penalty goal from Danny Cipriani after a series of scrums.
The Rebels held out the Brumbies until the 26th minute when Tyrone Smith left the Rebels’ defence once again falling off tackles down their left side. Their frustration only grew after Matt Giteau took a sneaky tap five metres from the line after referee Glen Jackson finished speaking to Rebels captain Stirling Mortlock and dived over. Mortlock was less than impressed and told Jackson his thoughts on that passage.
The Brumbies opened the second half by securing their bonus point after some great lead-up play (and a hint of a sidestep) from hooker Stephen Moore saw Pat McCabe score. With Giteau’s conversion the Brumbies were up 25–3 at this point.
The Rebels then reverted to some aimless kicking to take the pressure off their own attack and the Brumbies were happy to reciprocate, which led to the Brumbies taking their foot off the accelerator. The Rebels were, however, able to hold out the Brumbies after they were camped in their 22 for a six minute period and this seemed to lift the visitors.
Fullback Gerrard had some great interplay with winger Cooper Vuna and was unlucky not to score. League convert Jarrod Saffy scored the first of the Rebels’ tries in the 65th minute after an initial break from Mortlock saw some pick and go work from the forwards. Cipriani’s conversion closed the gap to 25–10.
Saffy once again proved why he could be a bolter for the World Cup after his line break led to a try from replacement winger Afusipa Taumoepeau. After Cipriani’s conversion, the Rebels trailed by only 8 points with nine minutes remaining.
The Brumbies then regathered themselves to close out the game and Stephen Moore, who has been on fire in recent weeks, got the benefit of a TMO decision to put the game out of reach of the Rebels and see the Brumbies gain back-to-back wins for the first time in over a year.
Brumbies 32 – Lealiifano, T Smith, Giteau, McCabe, Moore tries; Giteau 2 cons, pen def. Rebels 17 – Saffy, Taumoepeau tries, Cipriani 2 cons, pen
Wallaby Watch:
Put his hand up: Stephen Moore – Once again Moore showed his worth by setting up one try and scoring one himself. The form he is currently in should see him get the starting hooker duties for the Wallabies.
Did himself no favours: Hard to pick after such a win.
Bolter watch: Pat McCabe – His shift to inside centre has seen him get more involved and relished the opportunities in this match. Maybe his chat on the GAGR podcast has made him a better player.
