The Brumbies season may have suffered a wobble after consecutive losses but have got their season back on track with a commanding 31-18 win over the Highlanders in Canberra.
David Pocock was the stand out with a first half hat trick as the Brumbies had snared the four try bonus point before the half time break.
The Match
The Brumbies are known for being quick starters and it only took them five minutes to get on the board to winger Henry Speight following a mistake from Highlanders fly half Lima Sopoaga in his own half and was converted by Christian Lealiifano to make it 7-0.
Lealiifano landed a penalty goal to make it 10-0 in as many minutes and then just two minutes later David Pocock had the first of his three first half tries following a rolling maul after the home side declined a shot at penalty goal.
Sopoaga got the visitors on the board with a penalty goal but his poor handling continued later on as he dropped the ball on attack only metres away from the try line and not do his All Blacks audition chances any good, although he did add a second penalty shortly after.
The visitors couldn’t get into the game and attempted to use their big wingers in Osborne and Naholo but the Brumbies defence was up to the task.
On the 30 minute mark Pocock had the third try of the half in a repeat of his first effort. The Brumbies maul was looking to atone for their showing against the Rebels last week and their main weapon was proving too much for the Highlanders.
But there was more to come for the big number seven as he had the bonus point try for the Brumbies just before the half time break and just like the previous two, was on the back of a rolling maul to make it 31-6 at the break.
The Highlanders came out fired up in the second half and within five minutes had scored to Shaun Treeby to start a possible comeback.
The clan from the deep South had the better running in the second half with a number of penalties against the Brumbies putting them on the back foot.
Their persistence paid off when they gave the Brumbies a taste of their own medicine with a rolling maul try of their own to replacement Dan Pryor to close the gap to 31-18 with 20 minutes remaining.
The Brumbies went close to extending their lead to Henry Speight but in the shadows of the line dropped the ball from a grubber kick that evaded a Highlanders player and they also missed a penalty from a handy position.
As the game wound down the Brumbies stepped up a gear but they couldn’t add to their score to run out 13 point winners, 31-18.
The win comes at a crucial time with the all important match against the Waratahs next week in Canberra.
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The Game Changer
The Brumbies fourth try before the break was just enough to keep them in front of the Highlanders before they launched a spirited comeback in the second half.
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The G&GR MOTM
David Pocock – A first half hat trick of tries for a belated birthday present.
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Wallaby Watch
Tevita Kuridrani was back from injury and played 60 minutes and gave the backline some stability.
Henry Speight reverted to the wing and looked much more comfortable.
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The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BRUMBIES 31
Tries: Pocock 3, Speight
Conversions: Lealiifano 4
Penalties: Lealiifano
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[one_half last=”yes”]HIGHLANDERS 18
Tries: Treeby, Pryor
Conversions: Sopoaga
Penalties: Sopoaga 2
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Cards
Nil
Crowd:
10,138
