Canberra dusted off last round’s heartbreaking loss, scoring 29 unanswered points to down the Greater Sydney Rams 37-18 in the National Rugby Championship.
Taking advantage of a torrent of loose balls from the Rams, the star-studded Vikings pack found their cohesion midway through the first half with Brumbies openside Jarrad Butler crashing over twice.
It marks a difficult entry to the inaugural competition for Greater Sydney, left searching for answers for the second week on the trot after failing to score a try against the NSW Country Eagles in the opening round.
The Vikings bounced back after a lass minute loss to Perth.
“We started slow. We needed to build that pressure and get to their half and play some footy,” Vikings captain Fotu Auelua said.
“We pride ourselves on our set piece and we showed we were dominant tonight.”
It was a case of fumbled opportunities for the Rams in the first half, battering the Vikings with repeated phase-play close to their line but only managing two tries from the possession.
The conversions that cost them the game against Perth last week proved less of an issue this round, Jesse Mogg’s two successful attempts edging the Vikings into the break with a 16-10 lead after Les Makin smashed through defenders on the buzzer.
While the Rams’ ball was repeatedly finding the turf, Mogg’s fumble proved the grandest, sliding away from a loose ball in goal to gift the Rams a 10-0 lead in the 18th minute.
But the Rams had allowed the Vikings to play themselves into the match, Butler crashing over from a well-packed maul to open the second half.
An intercept captain’s try from Jed Holloway was the lone spark of hope for the Rams in a second half that was dominated by the Vikings’ backline.
“We lacked the execution in our attacking zone and we paid for it. They took advantage of our mistakes and it showed on the scoreboard,” Holloway said.
kunming lion
Guest
Just rejected the Mickey Mouse teams playing out of Sydney out of their depth in this comp.
Terry
Guest
Not so, the weather wasn't the issue. The issue is that many have rejected this Mickey Mouse comp.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Yes though I think the weather was pretty bad and has been all week. A school night too. Good footy and better weather will help.
Mike
Guest
That crowd would have looked small in our living room.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
I agree Mike, and the ball looked very slippery last night. The game is also being played at a breakneck speed and you could see the fatigue at the end of the game. With more match fitness execution will improve which will be great for the comp, the players and the ability for some of these guys to step up.
Bakkies
Guest
Rams need to find a smaller venue until they grow their support
Bakkies
Guest
You not seen enough of Burgess. It highlights the lack of depth at 9.
Mike
Guest
Rams have to work on depth in their scrum or its going to be a very unpleasant season. They looked strong while Benn Robinson was on, earning at least two scrum penalties that I saw. But in fourth quarter they were repeatedly monstered by Vikings. They can't afford a weak bench - don't have to dominate, just be able to hold their own for 80 minutes
Mike
Guest
Sorry re my first reply, misread your post. A lot of dropped ball and dodgy passing n this game, as in most games so far. I expect it will sharpen up.
30mm tags
Guest
What was up with the Vikings halfback ? Ball distribution was like nothing that I have ever seen. Ankles, over the head, behind the target player and even into the hands of the opposition. Yet the Vikings won! The skill level is so far below Super 15 that if this competition does nothing other than teach the need for developing skills under pressure then it will have been a success.,