The CA Brumbies have held on for a 24-22 victory against an unlucky Sharks team tonight in Canberra. The victory sees the Brumbies improve to 4-1 on the ladder whilst consigning the Durban based Sharks to their 5th loss in a row for season 2010.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV7wFQd1VY8[/youtube]
In a game that saw no less than 6 lead changes, the South Africans showed they were keen to notch up their first victory of the season by bringing a physical forwards display to the Capital. For rest of review and 2nd half highlights
The Brumbies got off to a slow start and were starved of possession in the early exchanges and were lucky not to concede a try after having a kick charged down whilst trying to clear their line. The Sharks eventually got the scoring underway through a long range penalty goal to English import Andy Goode. He then landed another shortly after to push the lead out to 6-0.
This sparked the Brumbies into action and they were finally able to get some ball and were well directed around the field by the halves combination of Valentine and Giteau. The forwards were starting to lay a platform with some solid play leading to numerous phases to put the team on the front foot. Giteau responded with 2 penalty goals of his own to level at 6-6.
On the 30 minute mark Ben Alexander crashed over for the first of his two tries for the night after 11 phases in the lead up. Those who had him for first try scorer with the bookies would have been cheering at the juicy odds of $41- just ask Greg Martin.
Just before half time the Sharks hit back through a try to half back Ruan Pienaar which was converted by Goode to level at 13-13. He then stepped up on the stroke of half time to eventually kick another long range penalty to send his team to the sheds at 16-13 with a sniff of victory.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first with the battle of the forwards continuing. The Sharks tried to vary their game by trying to unleash their backline without too much success.
A penalty kick for touch by Giteau looked to have come undone but a touch of good luck saw Sharks fullback Stefan Terblanche knock the ball back over his head dead in goal for a Brumbies scrum 5 metres out. From the resulting play Ben Alexander dived over for his second of the night to put the Brumbies back in the lead.
The rest of the half saw neither team able to land a killer blow and led to lead changes through 2 penalty goals to each side.
With the clock ticking down towards full time and only down by 2 points, the Sharks looked set to have a shot at winning the game through their strong forward play. Instead they chanced their arm by spreading the ball wide but unfortunately a handling error let the team down. This seemed a strange decision as they went away from what had been working well for them during the previous 79 minutes.
After the game Brumbies coach Andy Friend praised his front row that stood up to an all Springbok front row. He was also happy with the phase play the forwards put together on the back of good field position from Valentine and Giteau.
Captain Stephen Hoiles was happy with the win but wasn’t getting carried away as they know there is still room for improvement if they intend on playing in the finals. With the team playing a Kiwi team for the first timethis season next week, the team will be looking to work on improving in all areas to ensure their quest for the title rolls on.
Brumbies 24 – Alexander 2 tries, Giteau con, 4 pens
Sharks 22 –Pienaar try, Goode con, 5 pens
WALLABY WATCH
Put his hand up: Ben Alexander – 2 tries, what more could a prop want?
Did himself no favours: Mark Chisholm – At times MIA but did cop a kick to the head in the first half.
Bolter Watch: Christian Lealiifano – Made some nice breaks and is developing his combination with Giteau nicely.
