3. The fight for top spot in Australia
The Brumbies and Waratahs are fighting for the number one spot in the Aussie conference and they are both in good form. After the away win in Canberra the reigning champions looked on top of their rivals, but an unexpected loss against the struggling Force showed that the contest was still open.
This weekend both teams were playing against South African sides and both won: the Tahs overcame the Sharks in Sydney and the Brumbies won in Johannesburg.
The Tah’s bounce-back was impressive, but they had to fight more than what the 33 – 18 final score told. The visitors were a gallant opponent and were unlucky not to score more points.
Bernard Foley’s late try, four penalties and three conversions added up to an impressive display from the lately-struggling flyhalf.
After an unlucky defeat in their first match in the republic, the Brumbies came back with a sound win against a much-improved Lions team. A try, a penalty and two conversions for an in-form Leali’ifano gave Stephen Larkham’s men the edge in Jo’burg, and only a late try by the hosts made the scoreline less impressive.
Christain Leali’ifano about to roll Elton Jantjes
There was another big game, crowned by a try, from Brumbies’ no.8 Ita Vaea, who is well and truly back from the darkness of his illness. It was the icing of the cake for the ACT team, who will fight to the end for the top spot in the Australian conference.
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