A controversial late penalty have gifted the Brumbies the game against the Cheetahs, with Christian Lealiifano potting one from in front to give it to the locals 24-23.
The Cheetahs started well and dominated the first 60 minutes. However the Brumbies worked their way into the game late, with superior fitness and ball control shining through at the death. They didn’t make many breaks but took the chances they were offered. In the end referee Keith Brown gave them a scrum penalty (which I thought was probably justified although it was a brave decision considering the consequences) which they duly converted.
The players were treated to a beautiful sunny Canberra afternoon, with Johan Goosen registering first points for the visitors via a penalty in just the second minute. The game was fast and flowing in the early minutes, and a break by Nick White resulted in the first Brumbies try with Henry Speight crashing over in the corner. Lilo added the extras and the score was 7-3 after 10. The game settled in the following minutes, with the calm broken by a brilliant set piece try to Cheetahs winger Willie Le Roux after some silky skills at the back of the lineout by prop Coenie Oosthuizen. Nic White was the clear standout of the early stanza, cutting apart the Cheetahs defence at will. However he was forced off after 30 minutes with a virus (contracted earlier in the week). This was a big blow for the home side. The game stagnated in the last ten minutes of the half, with Lilo potting a long range penalty, only to be matched by Goosen late to take it to half time at 13-10 to the visitors.
The second half started with a try to the Cheetahs after a linebreak by winger Le Roux down the blindside. Scrummie De Bruyn supported nicely inside and went over in the corner to start the half with a bang for the visitors. Goosen added the extras and the score was 20-10. Goosen added a penalty soonafter and it looked like the locals were in trouble. However the play began to open up and a good passage by the Brumbies lead to a try wide out to Pat McCabe after some good handling by Prior and Toomua. Lilo couldn’t convert but added a penalty quickly after as the Brumbies started to get on top. This dominance continued to establish itself, but they couldn’t make the break. Lilo added another penalty to take it to 23-21 Cheetahs with five to go. The Brumbies slogged away repeatedly but couldn’t crack the Cheetahs. In the end the gift came via a late scrum penalty, which Lilo converted to give it to the locals 24-23.
For the Brumbies I was impressed initially by White, but later by Sam Carter, Ben Mowen and Ben Alexander in the pigs. Toomua controlled the game well at 10, Andrew Smith worked tirelessly at 13 and Jesse Mogg continued his good form with a stellar game from the back. They battled at the breakdown at times and Brussow certainly got the better of the Brumbies loosies. The experiment with Vaea at 7 continues to underwhelm me, and I doubt Peter Kimlin is a 6. It was nonetheless a good workmanlike effort from the Brumbies, but it is clear they will struggle for linebreaks this season. The Cheetahs defence wasn’t brilliant but was rarely cracked.
In the end it was a lucky win for the Brumbies, but they were probably the better team all things considered. They held the ball well and controlled the last phase of the game with aplomb. They continue their unbeaten run and will go into next week’s game with their tails in the air.
What were your thoughts on the match?
