Top spot was on the line when the Waratahs rolled into Canberra to take on the Brumbies and the game certainly lived up to that billing coming right down to the final play. The Waratahs held on for a close 13-10 win to close the gap to within just one point of the Brumbies on top of the Australian Conference.
The Match
The Waratahs showed their hand early by going wide in an attempt to get around the rushing Brumbies defence and also flexed their muscle at the opening scrum to earn a penalty, but their handling early on let them down.
The first try of the game came on the back of quick ball for the Brumbies that had the Waratahs on the back foot starting from a big charge from Ita Vaea in the midfield. Joe Tomane collected a looping pass on the left wing from Robbie Coleman to score in the eighth minute and Lealiifano converted to make it 7-0.
The Waratahs suffered an early blow as Tatafu Polota-Nau’s bad run of injuries continued after he was knocked out and was replaced within the opening ten minutes by Tolu Latu.
The visitors hit back in a similar fashion with looping pass to Adam Ashley-Cooper after the Waratahs found gaps in the Brumbies defence with Israel Folau and Michael Hooper making breaks in the lead up.
The Brumbies were keeping the ball in tight with one out hit ups and were happy making small gains before attempting to go wide with Henry Speight starting to get involved.
Lealiifano had a chance to regain the Brumbies the lead but his penalty shot from a handy position missed to leave the scores level after twenty minutes. He was on target not long after following a scrum penalty.
The game to this point was living up to it’s prediction of a physical affair and both sides were hitting the rucks trying to get an edge. Lealiifano also had to leave the field for a concussion test but he would later return to the field.
Bernard Foley missed a good chance from 40 metres out to level the scores with his side getting more of the ball and better field position but would go into the sheds at half time trailing 10-7.
The second half started with both sides throwing it around. Scott Fardy had one run down the wing for the Brumbies and the Waratahs had Kurtley Beale go close with a grubber kick that was saved by Jesse Mogg.
The Waratahs levelled the scores at 10-10 from a Kurtley Beale penalty as the Waratahs tried to lift the pace of the game. it nearly came undone for them off a quick throw in that went wrong but cleaned up by Rob Horne.
Foley edged his side in front just before the the final quarter of the game as they lifted their physicality and momentum started to swing their way, led well by Jacques Potgieter.
This seemed to sting the Brumbies into action. On the back of a penalty they finally got a chance to use their rolling maul and the vistors were down to 14 men following a yellow card to Rob Horne for disrupting the maul.
The Waratahs were able to weather that storm, Nick Phipps picked up a lost ball but just couldn’t escape the clutches of the chasing defenders.
With the game entering the last 10 minutes, the Brumbies lifted their pressure on the 14 men of the Waratahs but the visitors held on to their slender lead.
With minutes remaining the game came down to some crucial calls. The Waratahs secured a Brumbies lineout which looked like the receiver was tackled in the air that was over ruled by Glen Jackson, despite the call form the assistant referee.
The Brumbies then had a scrum penalty in the last minute of the game and kicked for the corner instead of going for a draw but the Waratahs defended the lineout well. With the siren sounding the Brumbies threw the ball wide but the Waratahs defenders got to the ball first to secure the penalty and with that, the game 13-10.
The Brumbies now head to South Africa for tricky two game tour against the Stormers in Cape Town and the Lions in Johannesburg.
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The Game Changer
The Waratahs copped a yellow card to Rob Horne in the second half and in that period that held strong against the Brumbies rolling maul.[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
Michael Hooper – The breakdown battle was huge but Hooper managed to get his side out of trouble at the right times.[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby Watch
Plenty on display tonight for Michael Cheika to keep an eye on. David Pocock and Michael Hooper were immense for their side and there were also solid games from Nick Phipps, despite some below passing.
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The Details&
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BRUMBIES 10
Tries: Tomane
Conversions: Lealiifano
Penalties: Lealiifano
[/one_half][one_half last=”yes”]WARATAHS 13
Tries: Ashley-Cooper
Conversions: Foley
Penalties: Beale, Foley
[/one_half]
Cards
65 mins – Horne (Waratahs) – Yellow
Crowd: 17,563
Photos by Ben Morris
