The Brumbies and Reds renewed their rivalry in the opening match for the Australian teams in 2014. The Reds were keen to get one back on the Brumbies after last year and they grabbed first bragging rights for season 2014 with a gritty 27-17 victory in Canberra.
The win was built on the back of an exceptional defensive effort combined with the skills of Quade Cooper and Lachlan Turner to see the Reds gain only their third win in the Capital.
Photos courtesy of Tim Anger
The Match
The Brumbies opened the game with the majority of the ball but all they could manage was a penalty goal to Jesse Mogg within the first eight minutes after an earlier miss.
They had a chance to score the opening try of the night after Reds recruit Jarrad Butler set up Joe Tomane down the left wing but Lachlan Turner scrambled well to deny that chance.
Both sides were having trouble with their lineout ball early with both teams able to spoil opposition throws to halt any momentum from penalties.
The breakdown was a real battle with the head-to-head clash of Liam Gill and David Pocock worth watching with Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie no doubt a keen spectator.
Brumbies winger Henry Speight was sporting a brilliant afro and side step and he went close on one occasion leaving Aidan Toua clutching air but Toua would have the last laugh later in the match.
The Reds finally got some possession and when they did they were able to use it well. New recruit Lachlan Turner scored on the right wing after 17 minutes and shortly after that Reds fullback Aidan Toua burnt the rushing Brumbies defence after a great pass from Quade Cooper to score their second of the night to take a 14-6 lead.
The Brumbies thought they had scored their first of the night but Jesse Mogg was denied by a great try saving tackle from Lachie Turner but the Brumbies did land a penalty goal from an earlier advantage.
Quade Cooper showed he had brought his kicking boots in the difficult conditions to extend the Reds lead to eleven just before half time to make the score 17-9.
The second half opened with Jesse Mogg landing his third penalty of the night but that was nullified by Quade Cooper after Tevita Kuridrani was ruled in front of the kicker inside his own 22m.
The Reds gave away a penalty after Ed Quirk tried to stop the Brumbies rolling maul and the Reds were warned and not long after Greg Holmes was shown a yellow card from referee James Leckie for allegedly being offside.
From the resulting scrum, the Brumbies backline swooped down the right wing and Jesse Mogg finally scored after being denied earlier to reduce the gap to three at 20-17.
The momentum started to swing back in the Brumbies favour as they kept attacking the Reds line but the Reds defence was immense and held the Brumbies out after being reduced to 14 men.
They barely had any field position and played mostly in their own half but their class showed and kept the Brumbies out. Jesse Mogg missed a penalty goal from a handy position that would have levelled the scores as the pressure seemingly got to the home side.
They did have a good attacking position after Jake Schatz knocked on a Matt Toomua kick but the Reds scrum held up exceptionally well and got a relieving penalty with only six minutes left.
Then with two minutes remaining the Reds sealed the win with a try to replacement Chris Feauai-Sautia after another dropped ball from Jesse Mogg inside his own 22. The Reds penalty kick failed to find touch and Mogg dropped it cold with Feauai-Sautia swooping to score their third try of the match.
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The Game Changer
Jesse Mogg’s penalty miss late in the match would have leveled the scores followed by his dropped ball right at the death leading to Feauai-Sautia’s try.
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The G&GR MOTM
Lachlan Turner – Surely now entrenched in Reds folklore after scoring a try and saving at least two himself.
Liam Gill deserves a mention with his defence and shaded Pocock in their battle.
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Wallaby Watch
Quade Cooper showed no ill effects from last weeks injury and lead the backline well with some excellent passing.
David Pocock looked good on his return and had an immense battle with Gill.
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The Details
Crowd: 13,670
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BRUMBIES 17
Tries: Mogg
Conversions:
Penalties: Mogg 3, White
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[one_half last=”yes”]REDS 27
Tries: Turner, Toua, Feauai-Sautia
Conversions: Cooper 3
Penalties: Cooper 2
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Cards & Citings
55 min – Greg Holmes (Reds) – Yellow
