The Brumbies have opened their 2016 Super Rugby campaign with a 52-10 bonus-point demolition of last year’s finalists the Hurricanes in Canberra.
The ACT outfit’s big names stepped up on Friday night at GIO Stadium, with Wallabies superstars Stephen Moore, David Pocock, Scott Fardy, Tevita Kuridrani, Sam Carter and Argentina half Tomas Cubelli all scoring in the seven-try rout.
It was a mighty effort from departing co-captain Moore – named man of the match – in his 150th Super Rugby game, equalled in influence by fellow international Cubelli on debut.
Coach Stephen Larkham had been working on a more open attacking game for the new season, and it was on show for all to see in the nation’s capital.
The Brumbies, looking fit as ever, blew the `Canes away with their pace and choked them with a rock-solid defence that not even world-class halves pairing TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett could break.
It was a very different game to last year’s semi-final, which went the Wellington side’s way.
The Brumbies scored seven tries for the first time in a round one clash and, under the new system, were rewarded with a bonus point.
The game started at lightning speed and a flurry of big hits that’ll no doubt have bodies sore on Saturday.
The Hurricanes opened the scoring via the boot of Barrett, but it was Kuridrani who burrowed over from close range for the game’s first try.
Darting scrumhalf Cubelli added a second in the 28th minute for a 17-3 lead.
But it was a flashy line-out move just minutes before half-time that left the crowd both stunned and stoked.
An unselfish pass from Moore to Pocock sent the recently-crowned Australian sports personality of 2015 over for his first try of the year – and, unusually, it came from a running play not a rolling maul.
A Christian Lealiifano conversion sent the hosts into half-time up 24-3.
Fardy laid on another five-pointer soon after the break, taking their lead to 28 points.
The `Canes clawed it back with former NRL player Ngani Laumape scoring on debut after the ever-dangerous Nehe Milner-Skudder found some space on the left edge.
But it quickly went back to being all about the Brumbies, with Moore, Josh Mann-Rea and Carter crossing over in the final half-hour.
Lealiifano, co-captain for the first time, was superb off the tee – missing just one kick from long range.
An apparent leg injury to lock Rory Arnold appeared the only sour note for the Brumbies.
They host fierce rivals NSW Waratahs next week, while the Hurricanes play the Highlanders in a rematch of the 2015 final.
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Digby
Roar Guru
Hi, Yeah, look I dunno. It has been suggested there is no issue. Certainly to the eye he appeared bigger but then those new jumpers are 'special' Willing to see another week go by before really getting stuck in.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Hi Diggercane, what is your take on the fitness and weight increase of Julian S?
PeterK
Roar Guru
Cubelli is a significant improvement on White.
bennalong
Guest
I was very impressed with the Brums first outing. They haven't lost anything from last year and Cubelli is already showing he's an international. His pairing with CLL at 10 and the attack is a bit better. Much as I like Matt Toomua I'm not sure he ignites Kuridrani who still lacks adroit positional play The defence of course stands out and the maul again looks very potent. (I hate it.) The 'canes however, despite looking good in the first 10, wilted and rarely fought back, so, as with all drubbings you wonder how much the opposition contributed to making the Brums look great. No real weakness as usual but still lack spark. I look forward to next week. As a Tahs fan that is. I think the Brums will be difficult at home but I still like our game play more and hope it will be the difference. Stephen Larkham hasn't got a Larkham, unfortunately for the brums.
bennalong
Guest
Al the NZ teams in "bib and braces". Lucky they can play rugby!
mudjimba
Guest
The highlight was the cracker of a game BEFORE the brumbies game. I'm a Reds supporter - thank you for your sympathies in advance, but always watch the NZ games too. If you missed it try to catch a replay - it's worth it.
Squirrel
Guest
Fantastic game, great team effort all the wallabies should come predominately from brumbies and tahs. Put in the rebels halves and that should be all Cheika needs to watch
Brawlsinmauls
Guest
The 'Canes jumper look like yellow overalls.
Taylorman
Guest
Pity then, he needs to be a good rugby player.
Akari
Roar Rookie
This was like last year when the Brumbies crushed the Reds 1st up and were never really the same thereafter. We'll wait and see as the Canes really did make it easy for the Brumbies to wipe them out deservedly.
Zero Gain
Guest
Don't worry TMan, he will get it right. He is a beast...
Digby
Roar Guru
Canes were poor because they were made to be poor Well said Peter. Very similar start to the game as the semi final last year, Canes were dominant to begin with and took some time to break the Brumbies defence down. This time, Canes did not show the patience or frankly nous to do so and once the momentum shifted, it simply kept continuing. Very disappointing, one thing to lose but that was embarrassing. Brumbies look well tuned and formidable. Hard not to see them involved towards the business end of the tournament based on last nights performance and dare I say it, looked far more threatening with Cubelli at the base than White. Long way to go of course but a great win for the bloody Ponies. ;)
MadBrumbiesSupporter
Guest
Attacking shape was excellent except for the first 10 minutes when we had no ball and last 10 when the game got messy. Pocock and Carters tries were class. Was amazed that the Brumbies went for an attacking line out from a penalty in front of the sticks when Toomua was in the bin. Most teams take the penalty to chew up time on the clock. Can't wait for next week's game against the Waratahs - UP THE BRUMBIES!!
PeterK
Roar Guru
B Smith got away with using his knee when contesting 2 highballs. One he was the receiver and the knee was used to block / hit the other guy as he contested. The other one was worse, as he jumped into the back of the receiver he smashed his knee into his back hard. Both are dangerous uses of the knee and both should be yc's.
Paul
Guest
Naholo should never have been on the field for his chip and chase try. 2 mins before he deliberately knocked down a pass. Should have been spending 10 mins on the pine. Great game, right team won in the end.
jcr
Roar Rookie
Is larkham still helping cheika this season? If so it'll be nice to watch the wallabies backs return to being creative . Been a wee while . Good thing about supporting Otago over the decades you get used to it not quite working with the ref , oh well .
PeterK
Roar Guru
Brumbies did walk the talk. Very very good win. Kept their strengths from last year and finally added the attacking structures. Losing White and Mogg who would kick it away was a bonus. Moore's best game in years. Cubelli looks very good at scrumhalf. That rolling maul that went for meter after metre was great. Savea looked like a bus he was that fat. No excuses for them considering the final score. Sure brumbies cynical re penalties / infringing, copied off the crusaders. Just playing the odds that penalties are not sufficient deterrent. Laws need to change but until they do this is what teams do to win.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Besides whatever the ruling was, it appeared Faumuina moved forward ahead of the ball, took out a player who would certainly have been a defender for the ball carrier tracking the same path as Faumuina did before him. Just felt wrong to be able to do that.
Cynical Play
Guest
Minor timing issue with Poey. Should be easily sorted.
PeterK
Roar Guru
You do not have to be touching anyone to be considered ok to clear out, all you have to do is have some of your body (hands, feet) within the ruck area, otherwise players could walk through a ruck and not be cleared out. If Faumuina was not in the ruck and in front of the ball then he would be offside. I was not looking at that on the replay, since the fuss was about the defender being cleared out and not in the ruck. Did not know that was an issue and if that was the case then fair enough no try.