The Brumbies and Waratahs faced off in Canberra and it was another arm wrestle type of game with the Brumbies coming out on top 32-15 with the final scoreline not reflecting how close it was at times.
The Match
The Brumbies got off to quick start all on the back off Waratahs indiscretions in the opening minutes with five penalties racked up, Will Skelton in the bin after just five minutes and a Christian Lealiifano penalty goal thrown in.
All the possession in those early minutes had the Waratahs on the back foot and eventually Lealiifano found a gap to score the opening try to make it 8-0 after ten minutes.
The Waratahs eventually worked into the game with Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau attacking the line, although some poor kicking from the Brumbies made it easy for Folau to find space.
And it was that man Folau who scored the opening Waratahs try after 22 minutes following some ill discipline from the Brumbies in their own half to make it a three point game with less than 40% of the ball.
There had been much talk about the the scrums all week and it took until 25 minutes for the first of the night but the second scrum lead to a Brumbies penalty and form the resulting rolling maul from the lineout, Dean Mumm copped a yellow card for collapsing but the Brumbies couldn’t take advantage as the Waratahs were able to steal the next lineout.
In the shadows of half time, Beale stepped up to level the scores that looked very unlikely earlier in the half. The Brumbies went close to regaining the lead before the half time siren but Tomas Cubelli knocked on right on the line to add to their failure to capitalise near the line.
The second half saw Folau move to outside centre for the Waratahs following an injury to Rob Horne.
The scrum battle was a good one to watch with the Brumbies gaining a penalty that Lealiifano converted to edge his side back in the lead.
The Brumbies lineout problems continued as an overthrow on their defensive lineout almost saw the Waratahs snatch a try but couldn’t convert that or a five metre scrum as the Brumbies flooded the breakdown.
After the TMO had a look at a ‘meeting of the minds’, the Brumbies scored from close range to Joe Tomane and Lealiifano converted to give the Brumbies some breathing space.
But the ten point lead wouldn’t last long as another poor kick from Cubelli saw the Waratahs in good field position and Folau at 13 found Phipps who dived over under the posts to make the margin three again after Beale’s conversion.
As the game entered the final quarter, the injury toll started to mount for both sides as the players put their bodies on the line with Horne, Polota-Nau and Hegarty, amongst others leaving the field for the visitors.
Another scrum deep in the Waratahs territory was too much for their scrum as referee Marius van der Westhuizen awarded a penalty try to the Brumbies after they eventually got the shove on.
The Waratahs looked to have closed the gap in the last ten minutes but the try was called back from the TMO for a (dubious) obstruction from Sam Lousi on Jarrad Butler.
The Brumbies were able to hold out for the last few minutes and then added another right on full time with Nigel Ah Wong on the end of some special play from Joe Tomane to secure a 32-15 win.
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The Game Changer
The Waratahs were well in the game but the penalty try with 10 minutes to go stopped their run.
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The G&GR MOTM
Joe Tomane – Made the most of his chances, scored a try and set up the last Brumbies try to Ah Wong.
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Wallaby Watch
With Cheika in attendance, there was plenty for him to take in, including the Folau switch to 13 and the Pocock v Hooper battle.
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The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BRUMBIES 32
Tries: Lealiifano, Tomane, Penalty try, Ah Wong
Conversions: Lealiifano 2, Toomua
Penalties: Lealiifano 2
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[one_half last=”yes”]WARATAHS 15
Tries: Folau, Phipps
Conversions: Beale
Penalties: Beale
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Cards
5 min – Skelton (Waratahs) – Yellow
30 min – Mumm (Waratahs) – Yellow
Citings
57 min – Latu (Waratahs) – Cited for alleged striking on Matt Toomua
Crowd
20,142
Photos courtesy Tim Anger
