A barnstorming double from comeback king Pat McCabe has helped lift the Brumbies to a 26-9 Super Rugby win over the Auckland Blues in Canberra.
Man-of-the-match McCabe was superb for the Brumbies in treacherously wet conditions at Canberra Stadium, making several breaks and constantly bending the defensive line.
It was the 26-year-old Test centre’s best performance since breaking his neck for the second time in June last year.
Fullback Jesse Mogg meanwhile kept the Blues pinned down in their own half for most the match with his booming left boot.
While the Brumbies scored three tries, their defence was equally superb against a try-less Blues outfit that had previously averaged more than 30 points a game this year.
The Brumbies were extremely successful at disrupting the Blues’ ball at the ruck, with Wallabies forward Scott Fardy the standout over the ball.
Brumbies hooker Siliva Siliva was exceptional with the greasy ball at the line-out in Stephen Moore’s absence, while the Blues were perhaps unlucky at the scrum with several debatable penalty calls made against them.
The Blues dominated possession early, but the Brumbies displayed patience and then made the most of their first opportunity with textbook ball-retention rugby in the slippery conditions.
The in form McCabe then followed up several strong runs to trample over young Blues flyhalf Simon Hickey to open the scoring in the eighth minute.
The two sides traded two penalty goals apiece to go into the break with the Brumbies taking a deserved 13-6 lead.
Flyhalf Matt Toomua copped a knock to the knee and was replaced by fellow Wallabies playmaker Christian Lealiifano, who wasted no time making an impact of his own.
He launched a half break to get the Blues back-peddling, before firing out a long pass to set up McCabe’s second try in the 53rd minute.
Winger Robbie Coleman scored his sixth try of the year in the 57th minute to give the home side a 23-9 lead, before Lealiifano sealed the victory with a 70th minute penalty goal.
Mogg came off in the last quarter with a hamstring concern, while workhorse lock Sam Carter also hobbled off in the second half.
The result keeps the Brumbies at the top of the Australian conference, while the Blues experienced their 11th straight away loss.
Brumbies director of rugby Laurie Fisher applauded McCabe’s outstanding performance.
“He stuck to the plan. He carried at their young No.10 (Hickey), found him a few times, and found him early,” Fisher said.
Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said he was particularly pleased with his side’s ability to quickly improve their discipline at the ruck after a final warning from referee Rohan Hoffman midway through the second half.
“Whereas in the last couple of weeks we haven’t made that adjustment as quickly, and they’re the calls that decide the game,” Mowen said.
Blues coach Sir John Kirwan said the Brumbies’ pinpoint kicking combined with the slippery conditions limited his side’s momentum.
“They were really aggressive at the breakdown, kicked us into the corners and played a really good tactical game,” he said.
Blues captain Jerome Kaino said the Brumbies executed a clinical game plan which starved his side of possession.
“I’ve got to take my hat off to them, they played to the conditions the best,” he said.
Benny A's Tackle
Guest
Agreed, Brumbies supporter but thought the Blues had a few unlucky scrum calls. Though the angle of the Blues was what the ref had issue with, which seemed fair I guess. Perhaps the Brumbies scrum has that aura at the moment, which plays into the refs mind. Especially after 2 penalty tries from scrums in the past two games.
Benny A's Tackle
Guest
Despite the one spill I saw he was very good under the high ball, especially considering the conditions. Kicking was fantastic, the Blues looked unable to counter the Brumbies superior kicking game.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Yeah, they weren't great were they.....at least we were dry in the Gregan Larkham stand! ( by the way name change was for editorial reasons....couldn't really let the CYCA see their premier race series blogged by Ilikedahoodoogurusingha!)
Bakkies
Guest
At the Brumbies he runs in to space in that role rather then as a battering ram in to contact
Brett McKay
Expert
Ah, cheers Guru. Best seat in the house, despite the conditions..
soapit
Guest
yep because despite outplpaying nonu he's still long odds to be in the test side.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Brett....the artist formerly known as 'Guru here......good to hear you on ABC Granstand interviewing Pat McCabe post game.
DCNZ
Guest
Brumbies strangled Blues. Their set piece was better. JK hasnt got a game plan. Hickey had a shocker. Good to see Kaino warming up. I am impressed with the Brums forwards play.
Internal Fixation
Guest
McCabe will be a useful Wallabies back up in case of injury. The back line for EOYT looked good. No one above discussed Kurindrani. He is that bigger back in the style of Mortlock that we need against SA and NZ in particular. Means we can run a smaller 12. 9. Genia - pending expected upturn in form 10. Cooper - funny how this is now a no brainer for us amateur selectors on here 11. AAC - doesn't pass but can tackle like a maniac, cover defense is great and can catch. Wing always seemed like his most logical position to me. 12. Toomua - Excellent second five option and covers some of QCs defensive issues which have lessened a lot but still exist. 13. Kurindrani 14. Honey Badger 15. Folau - he dominates SR here so why change position. We need him under the high ball. Mogg is very good but still needs time and is prone to brain snaps. Bench - Burgess, CL, Mogg
Terry Kidd
Guest
Boring game .... kickathon followed by killing ball in the ruck.
Col in paradise
Guest
Great idea..and they do exactly cover all those positions..tactialy can be subbed on for very dfferent game plans...if you need to get abit more defensive but retain attacking capability,,Mc Cabe...need to open up and get more attacking then its Beale.. But great win by the Brumbies....
Zero Gain
Guest
The referee had no idea about scrums and this greatly helped the Bumbies especially in the first 20. If I was a Blues supporter I would be calling bias.
jutsie
Guest
Also find it funny that when deans played mccabe/horne/faiinga at 12 he was castigated for being conservative and picking 12's based on defense rather than attack skills but a week doesn't go by this season whithout beales brilliance in attack is downplayed by the same critics due to his weaker tackling technique.
messa
Guest
he did well for the wallabies but people had an anti deans agenda and that blinded them to hate any new initiative deans cam eup with... including recognising that mccabe would add better value at 12 not 15.
Nick Cross
Guest
Because Deans never coached the Brumbies?
jutsie
Guest
So happy to see pat finally getting the praise he deserves. Bloke has more heart and courage than any other current day wallaby. I don't think we should tinker with the current centre combo of toomua/kudriani as they had developed a good combo with qc last nov however I think bench of mccabe and beale would be great. Between the two of them they cover positions 10 to 15 and bring to very different skills sets to the team.
Andy
Guest
As a passionate supporter I thought the Blues were robbed of easy opportunities early at scrum time for some baffling penalties. So early in the game, it really could have changed the dynamics but am happy with the result.
Andy
Guest
It's scary Melon. Even figuring out the combinations for the Brumbies back line is going to present problems (good ones thankfully though) .
redder than kevin
Guest
How come mcabe couldn't play this well under deans?
Roy
Guest
Have never seen Inman play as well as Patty.??But would pick neither. 9. White 10. Cooper 11. Speight/Bethan/ 12. M.T 13. Kurandrani/AAC 14. Honey Badge 15 Folal