Brumbies win two in a row as they take down Lions
By Karlis Salna, 6 Mar 2010 Karlis Salna is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- Brumbies, Lions, Matt Giteau, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
Brumbies flyhalf Matt Giteau says his side will need to improve their execution after coming away with a win but failing to earn a vital bonus point. The Brumbies made a victorious return to Canberra Stadium in their first home game of the 2010 Super 14 season on Friday night, downing the Johannesburg Lions 24-13.
It was the home side’s second win on the trot and now leaves them with three wins from the first four rounds.
But despite dominating the possession and territory stakes, the Brumbies were unable to score a fourth-try for a bonus point.
Giteau, in his first game back in front of the Canberra faithful after a stint with the Western Force, struggled to settle in the match played in wet conditions.
The Wallabies playmaker said his side will need to be more patient and improve their execution if they are to be finals contenders.
He conceded failing to come away with a bonus point was a lost opportunity.
“I think we’re rushing a little bit, probably panicking too much, but we still got a win,” Giteau said.
“It’s was a good win but we’ve got to start getting bonus points.”
“Our forwards were great. I thought they laid a platform … but our execution needs to be better.”
The Brumbies set up the win with a dominant forwards display while the Lions, coming into the match with eight changes including an entire new front row, struggled to find cohesion.
The loss leaves the Lions, winless so far in 2010, without a win in Canberra from nine attempts.
Giteau, who kicked four from four, conceded he put in a mixed personal performance.
He got off to a poor start, kicking the ball out on the full twice in the first two minutes, first from the kick-off and then from a penalty one minute later.
“The first half I was in a rush to try and create things and in the second half I tried to play a more controlling game and I think that worked for me.”
Brumbies coach Andy Friend said it was a bitter-sweet victory.
“I am happy that we’ve won obviously but disappointed that we didn’t get a fourth try,” he said.
Friend was also critical of the errors his side made at crucial times in the match.
“I thought some of our execution, some of our decisions let us down. We need to be better than that.”
“We left a lot of points out there on the paddock.”
The Brumbies now have eight days to prepare for the Sharks in Canberra next Saturday.
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matt said | March 6th 2010 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
An ordinary display, albeit in ugly conditions. When the Brumbies are watching the 4th placed team play their final (a team that may have won less games than them), I hope they think back on wasted opportunities like this one.
I still think they need more grunt from the locks and number 8. They don´t impose enough at the breakdown.
I also think that the combination of Gits and the rest of the backline looks rusty. I can´t remember a game where Mortlock had so little impact. Either the Lions read him very well, or his game was off.
Credit also to the Lions who defended well and never threw in the towel.
matt said | March 6th 2010 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
One more thing, another stellar performance by G Smith. The guy is a machine, and has kept the Brumbies in the contest for the last 2 weeks (at times without support from his team mates).
Brett McKay said | March 6th 2010 @ 1:26pm | Report comment
“I think we’re rushing a little bit, probably panicking too much…” – Matt Giteau
If by ‘we’, Matt, you meant ‘I’, then yeah, you’re probably right. Unfortunately both Brumbies bombed tries came from a Giteau dropped ball in the first half, and then a poor Giteau option in the last plays of the game. The local ABC commentators wondered if Giteau is still troubled by injury, and they could well be on the money.
Conditions weren’t great, sure, but still way too many unforced errors….
Chris said | March 6th 2010 @ 2:09pm | Report comment
The Brumbies won – but for what I felt leaving the stadium they may as well have lost. Probably would have scored 6 tries if it wasn’t raining, but against a defence that bad rain is no excuse.
Most troubling of all was Giteau. Trying to force passes, aimless kicks, seeming inability to catch a ball. The man is a World XV player on his day but he certainly didn’t show it last night. Ah well, all hope is not lost. If the Tahs lose we Brumbies fans will be happy once more.
mudskipper said | March 7th 2010 @ 9:36pm | Report comment
The Brumbies have had 3 on the road before returning to Canberra last night. They looked weary from their Sa tour as did the Chiefs and Tahs. The weather was atrocious at best and it was a short week turn around for the boys.
The 2010 recruits at this time haven’t settled into the overall team continuity and have little time to settle into the squad before their first game. However this pause in form won’t be long off as now they have time at HQ to build better player on field understanding.
So their time will be come soon and the brumbies will firer, I pity their opposition on that day.
Additionally the Brumbies still have no serious injuries since the start of the season… Having won 3 from 4 they’re in an excellent winning culture while still finding their peak form…Remember its best to peak at the end of the season.
Watch out for the wild horses, it will be a stampede, a charge for the semis and the championship….