Brumbies slip to narrow loss in Auckland
By Adrian Warren, 20 Mar 2010 Adrian Warren is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Blues, Brumbies, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
The Brumbies defence couldn’t answer all the questions posed by the Blues attack, slipping to a 39-34 loss in a Super 14 rugby thriller at Auckland’s Eden Park on Friday.
The Blues scored five tries to three as 19 points from the boot of five-eighth Matt Giteau couldn’t prevent the Brumbies suffering their first defeat in four games.
The Brumbies moved up to fourth with a bonus point, but only three points split the five teams immediately below them, all of whom have a game in hand on the Canberra-based franchise.
A four try blitz from the Blues in the third quarter proved decisive, as they marked the 100th Super appearance of captain and hooker Keven Mealamu in style.
Down 16-10 at the break, the Blues outscored the Brumbies 26-6 in 12 minutes early in the second half to carve out a 36-22 lead.
The Brumbies scored the next 12 points, with tries to replacements Huia Edmonds and Patrick Phibbs setting up a grandstand finish.
The visiting team couldn’t manufacture another score after the 76th minute Phibbs five-pointer and Blues five-eighth Stephen Brett secured the points with a 79th minute field goal.
The Brumbies performed well in the set pieces and coach Andy Friend was pleased with the impact made by his bench players, but he lamented some costly errors and poor defence.
“We knew they were going to challenge our defensive line the whole night which they did and unfortunately we weren’t able to sustain the reasonable effort in defence,” Brumbies coach Andy Friend told AAP.
“We knew what was coming, that’s the style of rugby they play … they continued to ask questions of our defensive line and we didn’t have the answers the whole time.”
Friend said the full extent of a shoulder knock suffered by veteran flanker George Smith, who was forced from the field in the second half, probably wouldn’t be known until Sunday.
The Brumbies host the Chiefs next week before having their bye and don’t travel outside Australia again to the final round.
Sparked by centre Rene Ranger, the Blues always looked dangerous when they held possession and spread the ball.
Ranger and fellow centre Benson Stanley, winger Joe Rokocoko and fullback Isaia Toeva all crossed in the match-tilting period at the start of the second half.
The Brumbies held an early 10-3 lead highlighted by a try to prop Salesi Ma’afu.
The Blues levelled the score when Brett converted the first of Rokocoko’s two tries.
Giteau kicked two penalties to give the Brumbies a 16-10 halftime buffer.
Ranger got the Blues within a point with a try inside two minutes of the second half and his bust set up the go-ahead try to Stanley.
Rokocoko caught a cross field kick from Brett and Toeava cut through some more ordinary defence as the Blues piled on two more tries.
Edmonds crashed through for the Brumbies second try just before the hour and Phibbs raised the Brumbies hopes further when he crossed following a great pass from flanker Rocky Elsom.
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Dave said | March 20th 2010 @ 5:24am | Report comment
Reports of Mortlocks demise are greatly exaggerated. T Smith was destroyed out there against a lethal Ranger. No way that would have happened with Mortlock.
Much like Herbert and Tana in their twighlight years – Mortlock has evolved from his trademark line busting attack to more more of a rock solid and intimidating defensive player.
His best years may be past him, but to not have him playing against the Blues away was always playing with danger. The Blues have always been the most lethal attacking side in super rugby when they click, and click they did last night.
The Brumbies are yet to play the Crusaders (almost certain loss) and Cheifs (if they fire, Brumbies will lose). They also have the Tahs away from home which is probably a loss, and the Reds who are the best side in Australia at the moment.
Cheetahs should be 5 points. Highlanders and Hurricanes should be non-bonus point wins (though you can never tell with the canes – much like the blues).
The Brumbies did not put away the woeful Lions, Sharks, and Force. The Blues loss is a massive blow for their season and I think one more loss and they are out of contention.
mungo said | March 20th 2010 @ 6:13am | Report comment
Brumbies have a clueless back line in attack, they seem to pass the ball out hoping for something to happen and not looking to make things happen, they kick far too often either out on the full or handing the ball over to an attacking team that will run from its own 22, AAC should take the option to run more and forget about the high up and unders. Give me the Reds any day for entertainment
Ora said | March 20th 2010 @ 6:14am | Report comment
The Brumbies were blown off the park in the second fourty and had it not been for Giteau being on song with the boot they would have been staring down the barrel of a humiliating defeat. The defense and handling errors from the Brumbies were a huge blight on their game.
I personally believe we finally had a decent game of rugby as oppossed to some of the lop sidede cricket scores we have seen this year so far. The Blues showed signs of the Blues of the 90′s whilst the Brumbies seemed to be channeling the Reds of old lately. they have a star studded lineup and are failing to put teams away convincingly, the question has to be asked why? Dave after seeing the Bulls Hurricanes game last night I wouldn’t be so confident of a win over the Wellington franchise the ran the Bulls right to the wire and have shown teams their vulnerabilities.
The Brumbies are still my pick for top finishing Australian team however i don’t think it’s going to be as smooth sailing for them as it should and could have been
CraigB said | March 20th 2010 @ 6:31am | Report comment
an 11 point turn around is hardly being blown off the park! They were only 2 points down when the ref incorrectly gave the ball and the game to the Blues. The fact of the matter is they missed way too many first up tackles. DO that and any sie with any ideas of glory will make you pay. Ranger was made to look great by rubbish defense, but credit to him once he saw what was on offer he and the blues took it. They ran from everywhere with good skill and accuracy.
In a positive for the Brumnbies, Gits and Elsom probably had their best games thus far.
Ora said | March 20th 2010 @ 6:38am | Report comment
Craig they were blown off the park in the second fourty the only reason the Brumbies had any credibility in this game was down to Giteau and his Goalkicking the last Brumbies try came with the help of a tiring Blues team who knew they had the game in the bag. How do you explain 3 tries in 15 minutes?
They were shell shocked by the ferocity of the Blues and had no answer that is what I mean by being blown off the park. read the post instead of deciphering it to mean something else!!!
Rocky Elsom would have to be one of the most over rated players in the team.
Justin said | March 20th 2010 @ 3:00pm | Report comment
They were smashed for about 15 minutes. The Blues were brilliant but the Brumby one on one defence pathetic in the centres.
The games was never over though, the Brumbies were always a chance so those late tries were not just because the Blues were tiring…
hammer said | March 20th 2010 @ 6:59am | Report comment
Seems as though they’ve worked out how best to accumulate bonus points – this brumbies team is all hype – good job the reds are performing otherwise there would be some serious questions being asked about the state of Aust rugby
Justin said | March 20th 2010 @ 3:02pm | Report comment
They are not playing great rugby thats for sure. However they have had 2 matches at home so far and collected plenty of points on the road.
Dont get too excited about the status of AUS rugby hammer.
matt said | March 20th 2010 @ 7:42am | Report comment
Once again the Brumbies forwards carried the team. Good set piece work and resolute defence. All the holes were in the backs, where Lealiifano and Smith missed first up tackles. Fainifo had an off game as well. One of the bright lights was McCabe, and not so much in attack as defence. I watched him make a few really astute choices, coming in from his wing to shut down breakouts (mind you there were also line breaks made down his wing, but this could also be attributed to the men inside him).
The backline is just not firing. If we wanted to go radical, how about Lealiifano/Toomua at 10, Tyron Smith at I.C (where he excelled last year), AAC at O.C and Gits at fullback. Anyway, I am a bit tired of hearing of how ´this is the week´ it will all click.
I agree with the comment above, the Brumbies attack seems to hinge on shovelling it out the backline and waiting for something to happen. The Blues gave them a good lesson in straight and purposeful running.
I still enjoyed the game though, tough, and the Brumbies were still in it to the end, but the better team won.
matt said | March 20th 2010 @ 7:44am | Report comment
Oh, and Valentine owes the team for the try he created for the Blues with the box kick out of his own half. Ban the box kick your side of halfway!
jameswm said | March 20th 2010 @ 8:13am | Report comment
Tough on T Smith – I thought it was Leali’ifano who was really found out in defence.
ohtani's jacket said | March 20th 2010 @ 9:57am | Report comment
Where are all those mofos who said the Brumbies were favourites to take the title?
bennalong said | March 20th 2010 @ 10:16am | Report comment
What are mofos?
Justin said | March 20th 2010 @ 3:04pm | Report comment
I thought they were a legit shot and still think they can make some noise. Plenty of home matches to come.
Stormers are the team to beat. The Bulls now on the road and I think away from altitude and the poor defence they have shown so far might start to show.
mudskipper said | March 21st 2010 @ 7:26pm | Report comment
not win the title but contenders Ohtani’s jacket… Contenders the Blues played some good rugby but are inconsistent at best… The Bulls have to the favorites for 2010… even the crusaders like paper thin without a few sidelided Abs….
matt said | March 20th 2010 @ 11:16am | Report comment
Most Optimistic Fans, Obviously