The Brumbies have defeated the Rebels in an error-ridden affair in Canberra by 32 points to 3, scoring four tries in the process in front of 8,970 fans on a cold night.
The bonus-point win puts them too far ahead for any of their rivals in the Australian conference with two rounds to play which means the Brumbies will be hosting finals football again this season, though it is yet to be determined who they will host in the quarterfinal.
Both sides started the match with plenty of endeavour but numerous errors from both sides early on halted any real momentum in the match in a stop-start affair, a brace of penalties to the Brumbies and a 45m effort from Reece Hodge seeing the score at 6 to 3 after the first quarter.
The Brumbies looked the most threatening but a combination of ill discipline and poor handling halted several raids into the Rebels 22 until finally the pressure told and Jordan Smiler wandered over for a try out wide and a Brumby lead at halftime of 11 to 3.
A poor kick-off reception from the Rebels to begin the second half saw the Brumbies with an early opportunity to increase their lead and they duly obliged, a simple one out play to centre Tevita Kuridrani from a 5m scrum putting the Brumbies ahead by 18 to 3 and the Rebels were left chasing the game from this point on.
Try as they might, the Rebels could not string a decent period of play together in attack and outside of blockbusting number 8, Amanaki Mafi, offered little against the Brumbies defence and the home side eventually broke the visitors down, securing two more tries and the bonus point win by 32 points to 3.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Kurtley Beale will play his first Super Rugby match in 1494 days after being rushed straight into the Western Force's lineup to take on…
After missing out on the title the last two years the Tahs players seem laser focused to win this year.
The Queensland Reds and the ACT Brumbies will battle it out under the lights of Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, and one team will…
Noah Lolesio delivered a timely reminder of his quality on Friday night, leading the Brumbies to a “statement” 60-21 win over Moana Pasifika in…
Can I just start by saying, how good is rugby! And how good is Super Rugby Pacific this year: close matches, brilliant attack, desperate…
So many Australian rugby fans look back on 2023 as a complete disaster for the game down under, with million-dollar blowouts, an Eddie experiment…
