The Brumbies had to work hard for it but they chalked up a 32-25 win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo. In a game where the Sunwolves played well for large stretches of the game with some impressive play and quick ball that caused the Brumbies plenty of problems.
The hosts under a new coaching regime with Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown in charge have shown they will trouble some sides if they can play with same intent in future games.
The visitors scored five tries to three in the end and trailed 19-15 at half time but regrouped at half time and got their way back in front and conceded only six points in the second stanza to run out seven point winners.
The Match
The Brumbies were full of running early with some good involvement from Richie Arnold and Isi Naisarani that saw Tom Banks held up over the line.
Christian Lealiifano landed an early penalty but the hosts gave the Brumbies a dose of their own medicine with a rolling maul try of their own to Hosea Saumaki for a 7-3 lead after ten minutes.
The Sunwolves were prepared to throw the ball around and it started to pay dividends as they made metres to have the Brumbies defence on the backfoot and went close to scoring again but Chance Peni intercepted on his own line.
They wouldn’t be held out for too much longer as Timothy Lafaele took advantage of quick ball to have the second try of the match and the conversion made it 14-3.
That seemed to spark the Brumbies into action as they finally got around the compressed Sunwolves defensive line and it looked like Naisarani had scored but the TMO ruled a knock on by Henry Speight in the lead up to rule it out.
They did score the next try following a charged down clearing kick and Lachlan McCaffrey scored in the right corner only minutes after coming on for the injured Rob Valetini.
But the Sunwolves hit back just minutes later as a combination of quick ball getting it out wide and a disjointed defensive line including a bad missed tackle from Tevita Kuridrani allowed Lafaele to find Saumaki for his second try and a 19-8 lead.
The Sunwolves disruption of the Brumbies set piece continued as they nullified the Brumbies main weapon of the rolling maul following a penalty that gave them a heap of confidence.
But another clearing kick error from Robbie Robinson gave the Brumbies good field position and Lealiifano found some space and then Kyle Godwin who had a simple run to the line.
The Sunwolves blew another chance just before half time to go further in front to the relief of the Brumbies as the score remained 19-15.
The Brumbies started off the second half with better intent and finally getting the quick ball they needed. They somehow scored the first try of the half in comical scenes as the Sunwolves turned over the ball but the clearing pass went straight into the goalpost pad (the same colour as the Sunwolves playing kit) and Tevita Kuridrani swooped to collect and eventually had the ball down. Lealiifano’s conversion had the Brumbies back in front at 22-19.
The Brumbies seemed more patient with the ball in attack and it took small gains around the fringes and a penalty to get over the line. They were finally able to execute a rolling maul with the aid of a few backs and Josh Mann-Rea came up with the five pointer and give the Brumbies some breathing room with an eight point margin.
The Sunwolves didn’t have much to play with as the Brumbies denied them the ball and it took until the 65th minute for them to add more points, this time a penalty goal to Hayden Parker.
The Brumbies rung the changes and Matt Lucas was able to get the quick ball they needed and with some brilliant handling with Allan Alaalatoa and Lachlan McCaffrey involved, Tom Banks went over in the left corner after getting the nod from the TMO on a possible forward pass.
With time running down, the Sunwolves attacked the line but the maul defence from the Brumbies, in particular from Rory Arnold, kept the Sunwolves away from scoring another rolling maul try.
With time up, the Sunwolves kicked a penalty goal to make it a seven point margin and allowed them to pick up a bonus point.
The Brumbies do come away with some injury concerns with Rob Valetini and Josh Mann-Rea having to be helped off the field with their respective injuries with Valetini reportedly sporting a knee brace on the sidelines.
[one_third last=”no”]
The Game Changer
Second half – The Brumbies looked better after being shell shocked in the opening half. The fortunate try to Kuridrani got them back in front as they did enough to keep the Sunwolves at arms length.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
Isi Naisarani – Looked good throughout the game in a game where the Brumbies struggled in most parts. 2019 can’t come soon enough when he is eligible for Wallaby selection.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby Watch
In a game where the Brumbies were under the pump for large periods, it was a mixed bag from the Wallaby contingent. Kuridrani scored a lucky try but missed a tackle in the leadup for a Sunwolves try. Henry Speight to get involved but was largely quiet.[/one_third]
The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BRUMBIES 32
Tries: McCaffrey, Godwin, Kuridrani, Mann-Rea, Banks
Conversions: Lealiifano 2
Penalties: Lealiifano
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]SUNWOLVES 25
Tries: Saumaki 2, Lafaele
Conversions: Nakamura, Parker
Penalties: Parker 2[/one_half]
Cards
Nil
Crowd
Very vocal, especially when doing the Sunolves howl.
