The CA Brumbies have fumbled their way to a 24-13 win over the Lions at Canberra Stadium in front of a crowd of 13,177. In an ordinary game that was matched by very ordinary weather, the Lions came to Canberra without a win in their previous games in the Capital but demonstrated they were prepared to throw the ball around in the early stages in a game they were expected to struggle in.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppKN1d40C7o[/youtube]
Second half highlights at bottom of post
Matt Giteau showed some early nerves when put the kick off out on the full; it was a preview of how the rest of his game would be. There were at times flashes of brilliance, but far outweighed by some poor execution and decision making. For the Lions Dick Muir had made 8 changes to the squad, with an entirely new front row which proved a failure as they were free-kicked repeatedly for early engagements. Steve Walsh was having a running battle with Lions Captain Cobus Grobbelaar over the scrum which would prove costly later in the game.
The Lions got the scoring underway through a penalty to fly half Burton Francis after missing a simple shot earlier on. They then played like a team that had been together for years with a ‘no fear’ attitude displayed by the new lineup, but they were giving away unnecessary penalties. Stirling Mortlock was unlucky not to score the opening try after losing the ball on the line. Matt Giteau then converted a penalty from 45m out to level the scores at 3-3. The Brumbies were unable to convert other penalty chances after losing the ball at the line-out or dropping the ball in the slippery conditions.
At the 27 minute mark the Lions scrum seemed to be fighting a losing battle against the Brumbies. For what seemed like an age, the Brumbies were camped on the Lions 5m line with a series of scrums, when referee Steve Walsh finally lost patience and issued a team warning for repeated scrum infringements. How a penalty try was not awarded at this point only Walsh could answer but he did send prop Kevin Buys to the sin bin.
The Brumbies were unable to capitalise on the one man advantage and it took until the 36th minute for Walsh to finally award the Brumbies a penalty try for off side by Lions scrum half JP Joubert. Right on half time the Brumbies were unlucky not to score through Fainifo after he was judged to have knocked on in the lead up, and the home crowd were letting Walsh know their feelings as they went to the sheds.
The second half started with a Lions penalty to Francis and was followed by a well worked Brumbies scrum move involving Stephen Hoiles who put Christian Lealiifano over next to the posts. With Giteau converting, the Brumbies lead 17-6 as the rain started to set in again. However, the Lions responded almost immediately with a try under the posts to replacement hooker Hannes Franklin after a defensive mix up allowed him to dive over untouched. Francis converted and it seemed the Lions could mount a comeback. Unfortunately for the Lions, they gave away a penalty in their 22 and a quick tap led to a Stephen Moore try after the OK was given by the TMO.
At this point the Brumbies had 3 tries and 22 minutes in which to obtain a 4th try bonus point. Giteau started to play well, some excellent kicks for touch and it appeared it would only be a matter of time before the try came. They did their best to get a final five pointer, but a try saving tackle by Chavanga on Pat McCabe looked like the Brumbies quest would come up short. Poor handling also cost them on another occasion when Valentine knocked on 5m out – passing was the better option. Ben Alexander couldn’t believe his luck when Earl Rose tried to run the ball out from behind his own tryline, only to be tackled in goal. The resulting scrum proved fruitless and then after the final siren, Giteau tried a cross field kick to George Smith to secure the 4th try but came up short.
After the game Matt Giteau conceded the Brumbies looked like they were panicking at times but with 3 wins out of 4 the team was still on track for the finals which was their goal at the start of the season.
Next week the Brumbies take on the Shorks whilst the Lions head up to Sydney for a clash with the Waratahs
WALLABY WATCH
Put his hand up: Rocky Elsom was outstanding in his first game at home in Brumbies colours.
Did himself no favours: Matt Giteau – Perhaps suffered from serious stage fright on his return to Canberra
Bolter watch: Pat McCabe – Another solid game and was never afraid of putting his body on the line
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6QsftvyZg4[/youtube]
