The Brumbies have stamped themselves as Super Rugby title contenders, bursting out of the blocks and smashing the Sharks 29-10 in Durban to remain the only undefeated side in the competition.
The Brumbies are now six points clear of the second-placed Chiefs on the Super Rugby ladder, having won all four games this year.
The win was also their seventh in a row on the road, giving them the record for the most consecutive away wins in Super Rugby history.
Coach Jake White’s team ran onto Kings Park Stadium like a team possessed, launching wave after wave in attack to tire out last year’s Super Rugby runners-up and rack up the four try bonus point in just 34 minutes.
But it wasn’t just with ball in hand that the Brumbies pushed forward, with their rush defence putting the Sharks on the backfoot throughout the match and openside flanker George Smith creating absolute havoc at the breakdown.
Man-of-the-match No.8 Fotu Auelua was extremely dominant in the first half, his direct running sucking in three defenders in the build up to the first two tries to create overlaps on both occasions.
“Fotu led from the front and worked hard to get us over the advantage line,” White said.
“It’s fantastic and rewarding for a coach when you make a couple of changes and get a return from the boys who get a chance.”
Fly-half Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano both had outstanding games, with former Sevens player Tevita Kuridrani providing additional flair in his first start to of the season at outside centre.
“One thing I enjoy about Matt Toomua is his ability to take the ball to the line and keep defenders honest to create space out wide,” White said.
Halfback Nic White suffered a head knock in the first tackle of the match and was soon replaced by Ian Prior, who was sensational in directing the flow of the play and providing runners with wide, flat passes.
Standout fullback Jesse Mogg was another injury concern, coming off with an injured left shoulder in the 57th minute.
The Brumbies started in the best possible way, patiently working the ball up the field and not making a single error before Mogg went over in the fifth minute.
They continued their expansive, error free rugby to send Joe Tomane over in the corner to lead by 12 points in as many minutes.
A tackle fatigued sharks forward pack then lost a centre-field tighthead scrum in the 34th minute, with Toomua catching the blindside defence offguard and throwing a looping cut out pass to Henry Speight to bring up the four-try bonus point.
Heavy rain fell at half time, stifling the Brumbies expansive gameplan.
The Sharks also improved on their first half performance, with captain Keegan Daniel leading the way with the only try of the second half in the 51st minute.
Daniel said the Brumbies were successful at holding onto the ball for long periods of time, sucking in their defence and then spreading it wide.
“Offloads hurt you in rugby and they managed to do that a lot in the first half,” he said.
winston
Roar Rookie
They lose Australia's best player and just kick on. Well done. Can't wait to see how they go against some NZ teams.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Considering the form of NZ teams so far, they're hardly the barometer. Only the Cheifs are playing solid rugby.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
That's right West, we can only go on what we have seen and last years results I guess. Oh that's right Brums beat the Highlanders, Hurricanes, lost to the Chiefs by 7 in NZ and blew it against the Blues.......as short blind said, they wont be losing too much sleep.
Benny A's Tackle
Guest
My word, the Brumbies look real good. Sure the Tahs and the Sharks weren't in top form but the manner in which the Brumbies totally shut both teams out of the game is very impressive. They were domnating every collision and the buildup to the third try was the kind of rugby you'd see in heaven. Loving the Brumbies right now...
WEST
Roar Guru
I have no dobut in his ability only have to look at his history to find that out. Hey weve faced him in the past with the boks we can deal with him again as a new wallabie coach, there will be no sleep loss our end brother. Makes me laugh how quickly everyone jumps on the wagon.....when he starts losing a few and he will, just makes me wonder whos next....CAMPO!!!! yea brng him on
Dirk
Guest
"but hey Ausralia runs better when Australians arent involved". Well, i don't know about all of Australia but I tell you, but those kiwi scaffolders and forklift drivers seem to outdo the locals.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Lets see how Etzebeth goes when hes running into Fotu and Sio...
Mantis
Roar Guru
Micky Arthur is a Saffa
Mantis
Roar Guru
I reckon Higginbotham has played his last game in gold for a while(barring about 5 injuries)
Mantis
Roar Guru
We have the Saders on a Sunday arvo in Canberra. Going to be a cracker.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I'm really enjoying how Carter is going this year. Balky tall timber that enjoys being physical is always good. I like the Sio Alexander combination more than Alexander Palmer tbh. It adds more around the park with out sacrificing much in the scrum.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Really looking forward to that game. Since I will be at the Hk 7s I doubt I'll be able to remember it even if I get to watch it!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Felix, the Sharks definitely missed Alberts and Bismarck - those two could have made a significant difference to the metres the Brumbies gained through the forwards
jeznez
Roar Guru
It was a bit like that wasn't it. Last year the Sharks got up in Canberra 26-29. The most notable impact by an Aussie player that day was Vaea who in 35 minutes of play carried 18 times for 42 metres. It was the most runs and most metres by any Brumbies that day and his time on the park coincided with the Brumbies best play that day. This year it was Auelua and Sio making those big runs with good supporting efforts from Kimlin, Carter, Moore and Alexander. They all carried strongly and to cap it off they had George there being George, standing in tackles and popping passes, sweeping the ball one handed out of the back of scrums and just being the class player he is. Special mention to Carter who has bulked up well in his off-season without losing any of his high work rate. Great improvement by him.
Harry
Guest
That openside the Brums have found to take the injured Pocock's place looked fairly handy didn't he? Number 6, which looked a problem a week ago, looking less so with Mowem and MMM putting their hands up.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I know and I don't rate Jannie either but he is the Bok incumbent so performing against him is close to the best you can manage against Saffas. Coenie is about the only prop from the republic I genuinely like and rate so would be the only superior test.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Haha I'm just winding you up. Either way I was very impressed by Sio, mind you I don't rate Jannie in the scrum at all.
Simon_Sez
Guest
George Smith was very good. The ARU selectors should have the ability to select him if they need his services: his experience and talent will be needed in the Lions series. How valuable is Jake White to Australian Rugby.... very valuable. He has turned around a rabble of nobodies in 1 season into a well drilled outfit who have the possiblity to challenge for the S15 title.. The first 40 minutes, before it started to really pour down, was unbelievable rugby. Australia needs the same quality of coaching in all of the 5 conference teams to make it the strongest conference, then the Wallabies will have a chance to beat the All Blacks more than once in a blue moon.
Sportym
Guest
Interesting West, I live in the Uk now days and all the kiwis have been exceptionally rational and realistic when it comes to rugby ;) yes that sarcasm is free. Being a supporter in sport is about belief and dreams. Let people enjoy the highs, I am sure the lows will come its a balance. Fact is White is a proven coach. What he has done with the rabble that was the Brumbies is worth taking note, and considering what if scenario if he was given the wallabies. I am sure every kiwi sleeps like a baby knowing deans is in charge of the wallabies. If white were to take over there would be a few sleepiness nights across the ditch ;) one persons dreams can be another's nightmare.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I'm only talking about the scrum Jigs. It isn't the be all and end all. Nor is the superiority of such quality that it would win you a match. But on what I've seen so far I'll stand by the comment. :D