The Brumbies have put in a disappointing display going down 16-14 to the Blues in Auckland tonight. The game came down to a Nic White penalty attempt that just missed to give the Blues their first win of the 2015 season. The Brumbies struggled to get into the game in the first half as the hosts kept them scoreless but showed some signs of life in the second half and got in front but were denied by an Ihaia West penalty.
The Match
The Blues were keen to get off to a fast start and show their faithful fans who had shown up in the rain that they could still play for something.
Early on the home side targeted Brumbies winger Joe Tomane under the high ball with a cross field kick but after a scramble Tomane was able to diffuse the situation but soon after had first points on the board from a Dan Bowden penalty goal.
The Brumbies first chance in the Blues half saw them try and show better patience than last week against the Cheetahs and went for the pick and drive but the Blues defence held together well and eventually forced a turnover.
The Blues enjoyed the majority of possession of the opening twenty minutes that frustrated the Brumbies and had two more shots at penalty goal with the second of those successful after the earlier shot from Bowden hit the upright.
The visitors suffered a major blow with Matt Toomua leaving the field with an ankle injury following a hit up.
Christian Lealiifano had a chance to put the Brumbies on the board but missed from a position where the ball could have been thrown over.
The Brumbies discipline was becoming a problem with numerous penalties gaining the attention of the referee and letting the Blues into their half far too easily with the penalty count7-1 at the break.
The Blues went close to scoring the first try with George Moala brought down in the Brumbies 22 and Jerome Kaino also going close before the Brumbies stole the ball on their line but in the same phase knocked it on.
From the resulting 5 metre scrum, Nic White intercepted the ball but the Brumbies dropped the ball which seemed to sum up their play to this point.
Five minutes before the break, the Blues extended their lead with a well worked try to Bowden in the right corner following some good forwards play initially and with his own conversion the Blues went into the break with a 13 point lead.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham rung the changes at half time and brought on Ita Vaea for Jarrad Butler and Jordan Smiler for Blake Enever to give his forward pack some more clout.
The injury curse struck again when prop Scott Sio was taken off after a knee injury following another run into contact after just five minutes.
Lealiifano got the Brumbies on the board with a simple penalty goal following the resumption of play but hard to work hard for their next points finally scoring their first try of the game just before the 60 minute mark taking their time with the ball with over 20 phases in the buildup. Nic White threw a long pass to former sevens player Lausii Taliauli and he dived over out wide to inject some life into the Brumbies.
David Pocock was back to his best with his presence at the ruck almost single-handedly keeping his side in the game with a number of penalties in the Brumbies favour.
Christian Lealiifano edged the Brumbies to within two points with just over 10 minutes to play as they looked to secure an unlikely win.
They had a chance to take the lead after James Dargaville swooped on a loose ball from Ihaia West but a knock on put an end to that chance.
Against the odds, the Brumbies finally got in front on the back of Lealiifano’s third penalty goal for a one point lead following a massive rolling maul that started near the Blues 22.
But there was more to come with the Blues taking the lead again from a Ihaia West penalty from wide out on the left touchline to restore the two point lead. And that wasn’t the end of the action with the Brumbies receiving a penalty on the Blues scrum feed just near the halfway line.
Nic White took the kicking tee and lined it up but the kick missed to the left to give the Blues a 16-14 win.
The Brumbies take on the Rebels in Canberra next week and will have a few injury concerns with Matt Toomua and Scott Sio the major casualties with extended time on the sideline expected.
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The Game Changer
After a poor first half, the Brumbies showed some sign of life in the second half but the last 5 minutes of the game had the most action with West’s penalty followed by White’s attempt to snatch an unlikely Brumbies win.
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The G&GR MOTM
With the Blues getting their first win of the year, it was hard to go past Jerome Kaino who lead from the front and has been putting in all year in trying circumstances.
David Pocock ran a close second depsite the Brumbies loss as he was back to his best causing a real nuisance at the ruck for the Blues.
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Wallaby Watch
David Pocock was immense at the ruck with a number of penalties secured for his side.
Matt Toomua went off injured after 20 minutes with a nasty ankle injury as did Scott Sio early in the second half.
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The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BLUES 16
Tries: Bowden
Conversions: Bowden
Penalties: Bowden 2, West
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[one_half last=”yes”]BRUMBIES 14
Tries: Taliauli
Penalties: Lealiifano 3
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Cards
Nil
