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A shocking result in the nation’s capital with the top-of-the-table Brumbies drawing with the Southern Kings 28-28.
After a less than impressive start to their Super Rugby career, the Southern Kings were considered an easy four points for the Brumbies.
Coming into the game, Adrian Strauss, the captain of the Kings emphasised their need for consistency, following a 46-30 loss to the Hurricanes last week.
After the first twenty minutes it seemed to be a walk in the park for the competition leaders with two quick tries to wingers Henry Speight and Joe Tomane.
Despite these early defensive lapses the Kings showed signs of resistance with a strong defensive structure often forcing the Brumbies behind the gain line.
Once again though, ill discipline proved the defining factor, where the Brumbies were regularly able to relieve pressure from the Kings’ simple mistakes.
After finally stringing some phases together, the Kings showed their potential, answering back with two tries to loose head prop Ferreira and flanker Van Der Walt.
From this point on the Kings were brutal in defence, with their young flanker, Wimpie Van Der Walt leading the charge with one big hit after another.
The Brumbies lacked any sort of punch in attack throughout the second half, illustrating how Australian teams often struggle when they face a big forward pack such as the Kings.
Two late penalties by Christian Leliafano put the Brumbies out by seven with just minutes to spare.
The Kings pushed after the full time siren with a series of penalties in the Brumbies’ twenty-two resulting in the try to tie the game.
Ben Mowen the Brumbies captain, after the game emphasised the disappointing result and put it down to a lack of focus.
“Our mind set wasn’t right from the start. We managed to get some early points but let them back into the contest.”
Mowen also praised the opposition saying, “It was a very spirited King’s outfit… They were able to play to their strengths, which was exactly what we didn’t do.”
Adrian Strauss also spoke after the game putting the Kings’ exceptional defence down to the character of the side and to keep working for their teammates.
Not many positives can be taken out of the Brumbies’ performance, however Wallabies prospects such as Joe Tomane, Dan Palmer and Ben Mowen all showed their potential.
Tomane again showed his powerful running, but also revealed his talents in distributing the ball and his stability under the high ball, which is something that has been lacking in Australian wingers of late.
Palmer’s scrummaging was again impressive against a large South African front row, giving promising signs for the upcoming Lions tour, where the Lions always provide a tough challenge up front.
Mowen put in another consistent performance as captain, really throwing a spanner into the works after being left out of the Wallabies’ squad last year.
Another wildcard this season returning from Japan has been ex-Wallaby George Smith.
He showed once again his resilience in the face of tough opposition, and regularly put his hand up to take a hit up or make a trademark low tackle.
His resurgence to Australian rugby gives further depth in the position at open side flanker with young prospects such as Liam Gill and Michael Hooper all pushing for the position in the wake of the injury to David Pocock.
The Brumbies coach Jake White commended the Kings on their solid defence but was concerned with the lack of energy and enthusiasm showed by the team.
Moving into a tough away game against the desperate Highlanders, White said that his players will have to respect the uncertainty in this competition.
“The players will learn that there is no formality in this competition and there are no givens, despite the talk off the field.”
The loss to the Brumbies moves the Chiefs into top spot on points differential and means the lead position in the Australian conference is far from cemented.
Brumbies 28 (J Tomane, H Speight tries; Lealiifano 5/5 pen, White 1/3 pen) tied Southern Kings (Du Preez 2, Ferreira, Van Der Walt tries; Whitehead 3/3 cons, Catrakilis 1/1 cons)
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