Wallabies star David Pocock was left with a busted nose as the Brumbies secured a 31-14 win over the Western Force in Friday night’s Super Rugby clash at nib Stadium.
Pocock was left dazed and with blood streaming from his nose after being crunched in a heavy tackle from Heath Tessmann early in the second half.
It took about 10 minutes to patch up the former Force forward, but the gutsy flanker returned to the field to help quell a late charge by the home side.
The result gives the Brumbies a perfect 3-0 start to the season heading into their tour of South Africa, where they’ll take on the Stormers and Cheetahs
The Force (1-2) were dealt a big blow on the injury front when flyhalf Jono Lance injured his left shoulder in the second half.
Coach Michael Foley raised eyebrows after deciding to rest five of last week’s starting lineup, and the move seemed to backfire as the Brumbies raced out to a 17-0 lead inside 22 minutes.
The whistle of referee Andrew Lees proved to be the Force’s biggest frustration.
The Brumbies lobbed over the first penalty in the third minute, but from that point there was only one thing on their mind – tries.
A number of chances went begging for the visitors, before a yellow card to Force prop Pek Cowan in the 15th minute helped open the floodgates.
Brumbies skipper Stephen Moore touched down from a rolling maul, before inside centre Matt Toomua crossed in the 22nd minute after an important break from Scott Fardy.
At 17-0 down, things looked glum for the Force.
But a momentary brain snap from Brumbies scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli in the 28th minute gave the Force a glimmer of hope.
Cubelli was shown yellow for kicking the ball away after a penalty, and the Force were on the board in the 33rd minute when a delicate inside pass from Lance gave Luke Morahan the room needed to burst over for a try.
Lance was involved in some important plays in the first half, but the 10,914 crowd couldn’t help but giggle when he produced a classic ‘falcon’ in the 39th minute.
The Force’s hopes of victory looked all but gone when Joe Tomane busted through two tackles to touch down in the 55th minute, giving the Brumbies a 24-7 edge.
A perfectly-weighted grubber kick from reserve Force flyhalf Peter Grant led to Ben Tapuai’s 66th-minute try, closing the gap to 10 points.
But some costly line-out losses inside the Brumbies’ defensive 22 all but ended the Force’s hopes, with the visitors scoring through Josh Mann-Rea after the final siren to extend the final margin.
Daz
Guest
I wasn't really sure where to post this comment after watching this game but I have had a gutful of bad passes. I'm so over them. I reckon (with no empirical evidence) that at least 50% of passes in this game were shite. TWAS my old mate help me out here and watch the game in slomo and give a tick or a cross to each pass. That should keep you occupied for at least four or five hours. If you can't give a good pass then don't pass the f.....g thing. It's as simple as that. If your pass doesn't promote your team's position then don't pass the f.....g thing. It's as simple as that. Go to ground with it. If you are that bereft of spatial awareness and if you can't judge the velocity of your mate so as to put the ball in front of him and give him every chance of breaking through then get off the rugby field. If your peripheral vision is that limited so you can only see in 90 degree angles then go see spec savers.
Brawlsinmauls
Guest
Oh was that with Pek Cowan? A lot of iffy penalties for mine and they are really hot at the break down with the tackler not releasing, then you see on the big screen that he did release? Also I have only seen the replay on the big screen at the ground but I surprised they awarded the last try, couldnt see any clear grounding but then again, I dont what the ref asked the TMO to look for.
In brief
Guest
I was interested in a penalty awarded to the Brumbies for 'holding on' late in the second half when Pocock had one hand on the ball. From what I could see no force player was actually holding the ball, it had been released when Pocock got hold of it. In my book play on, no penalty.
PeterK
Roar Guru
force should have been carded earlier in the first half and brumbies earlier in the second.
Brawlsinmauls
Guest
He had to make it up to us Force fans for his poor display in the 1st half.
ClarkeG
Guest
Was harsh bordering on ridiculous.
ClarkeG
Guest
Not just the Brumbies. All teams throughout the rugby world actually.
Cynical Play
Roar Rookie
Agree. If it was Skelton the Ref would have carded. What is it with the Brumbies forwards continually taking out players not part of the ruck.
PeterK
Roar Guru
The ref should have issued more YC's to both teams for repeated cynical infringements. That said Cubelli's card for kicking the ball away as the whistle sounded was harsh, no issue on giving a YC against the player who actually infringed.
ClarkeG
Guest
That early shoulder charge by Moore in first 20sec may attract a CCW.