The Brumbies have slumped to a third successive Super Rugby loss, losing 18-12 to the Blues as they made it 15 wins in a row for New Zealand teams against Australian opposition.
Despite being last in the New Zealand group, the Blues were too good for the conference-topping Brumbies in a stark illustration of the gulf between Kiwi outfits and their trans-Tasman rivals.
In near-perfect conditions at GIO Stadium, the Auckland-based side inflicted the Brumbies’ ninth consecutive loss to New Zealand opponents while keeping them tryless in a regular season match for the first time since 2012.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham praised his side’s effort but was left lamenting costly mistakes.
“I can comfortably say that it wasn’t them that beat us, it was us that beat ourselves,” Larkham said.
“(Against) New Zealand sides, you’ve got to get your set piece right, you’ve got to get your execution right.
“It’s always going to be tight and you’re going to rely on those little moments in the game when you come up against New Zealand sides and we just didn’t have it tonight.”
The Blues dominated possession from the outset on Sunday but were unable to breach the Brumbies dogged defence for the opening half hour in front of 12,072 supporters.
Winger Matt Duffie broke the deadlock, with a George Moala offload helping him to cross after 31 minutes.
Brumbies fullback Tom Banks also showed glimpses in attack, but was unable to hurt the Blues on the scoreboard.
Brumbies captain Sam Carter’s decision to back their rolling maul to score a try rather than give Wharenui Hawera a penalty goal attempt on half-time didn’t pay dividends and the blues went to the break leading 8-3.
Hawera got a chance three minutes into the second half and kicked truly to shave the deficit to two.
He put them in front with his third penalty after 51 minutes, as the Brumbies refused to fold.
But it didn’t take the men from Auckland long to regain the lead and a well-worked lineout allowed Akira Ioane to drive over for a try and make it 13-8.
Bryn Gatland missed the conversion and the Brumbies began to apply pressure on the Blues defence.
That culminated in Hawera’s fourth goal bringing them within one point with 20 minutes remaining.
But as momentum shifted back to the Blues, they were able to capitalise on their opportunities with a Melani Nanai try coming from a scrum, setting up a match-winning lead and helping his side to pick up a crucial bonus-point victory.
“There’s a lot of battered guys in our change room at the moment but there’s always got to be a winner and obviously our guys are smiling at the moment,” Blues coach Tana Umaga said.
“We’re happy with where we’re at but obviously we’ve got a bit to work on.”
wyn
Guest
On 23rd February I went the the opening game of the Super Rugby season full of hope and somewhat excited for the season ahead. I left AAMI Park that evening with the foreboding feeling that the Aus teams will be lucky to win any games against the NZ teams this season. So far my prediction has been spot on and next week I expect that the lowly Blues (in NZ terms) are going to beat the Tahs, and possibly by many. I am expecting that the Rebels will be cut next year, but I doubt that it will make much difference to the trans-tasman results. Australian rugby needs help, and if the right people (be they from NZ, SA, England or wherever) are not brought in to fix the problems, Super Rugby will die. As a supporter of Australian rugby, it has become too painful to bear. I do not mind if my team/s lose games, but when there is no prospect of winning my fortnightly sojourn into the city is a complete depressing waste of time. There is if course a very simple solution to my problem - after the June test series when the Lions tour of NZ is over I give up my Foxtel subscription ( the finals of the super rugby from and Australian point of view are a forgone conclusion with one maybe two Kiwi sides making the trip to Ellis Park and the second one prevailing to return home for an all NZ final) and start following AFL. The atmosphere at the few games I have attended has been great and when one is in a stadium with more than 50000 spectators as happens from time to time and the game is close ...
Jeffrey
Guest
Is there a bigger sore loser in world rugby than Larkham? Cheika perhaps.
Machpants
Roar Guru
Yeah, same as previous years where four tries and a close loss have you two points. Not going to happen often tho, losing whilst also scoring three more tries than the opposition!
Ben
Guest
Similar to his comments last year when they lost their home quarter to the Highlanders. Was it him that also said after a loss, words to the effect the other team didnt play any rugby and we played all the rugby? Think that was against the Highlanders too.
mania
Guest
so if brumbies had kicked 3 more penalties to win this match (21-18) would the blues have still gotten 2 bonus points? one for finishing within 3 and another for being 3 tries ahead?
taylorman
Guest
Yes if anything the Blues left at least a couple out there. 3 tries to nil so yeah a real annoying comment from Larkham. Makes the win all the more sweeter I suppose.
The Saint
Roar Guru
Thank you Fionn. Larkham seems bitter losing to Kiwi sides. He has to accept that when the Brumbies win it is because they were the better team on the day.. and when the opposition wins it is because they played better. Then identify his team's weaknesses and work to improve.
Kaizer
Roar Rookie
"Stronger As Five" let's remember that we the people came up with that statement and rightly so. Our battle is moreso off the field and with the ARU. Such results are no longer a surprise. Whilst they (kiwis) continue heading north with their brand of rugby (and it is their brand), we (suffering Aussie fans) must endure the never ending saga of ARU politics. How about we get the rugby committee or board or trustee from the WhyKickAMooCow RUFC in little old Na Zillund to come and run our lot. I'm sure they would do more for Aussie Rugby than the lot we have in there now.
Fionn
Guest
Unfortunately, you are correct.
Kiwi in Europe
Guest
I can comfortably say that the Brumbies were beaten by a better team that played better than them. I thought the Blues turning down easy 3 points and go for the try showed that they were confident that they were the better team. The fact the Blues missed a few conversions and excellent Brumbies defence kept the Brumbies in the game in the end. However they never looked liked they were going to score a try the whole game.
Kiwi in Europe
Guest
He certainly knows the art of media spin to take the pressure off himself and his team. However he does this so often that you have to wonder if he lives in a delusion and not reality.
Lara
Guest
If u are beating yourself , then it is truly an internal problem in Brumbies world or should it be Lar Lar Larkham land .
Fionn
Guest
"They" being the Blues, just to clarify... They were the worthy victors (unfortunately).
Givemeabreak
Guest
Disappointing/worrying the way that Larkham refuses to accept being outplayed. Defence was par. Saw glimpses of improvements on attack but still not a heartening display from senior Wallaby coaching staff.
Deano
Guest
"A weird comment from Larkham..." Hey, that's no way to refer to Next Wallaby Coach Larkham.
Fionn
Guest
They deserved to win. It would have been nice to get the win, but at the end of the day we never looked like we were near breaking the line or scoring all night. Congrats to the Blues..
The Saint
Roar Guru
A weird comment from Larkham, saying it wasn't "them that beat us...it was us beating ourselves..."
Jock Cornet
Guest
Agree the sunwolves would top our conference. This is beyond embarrassing. ARU are very quiet. What are they going to do about it when the wallabies also get flogged by argies, Scotland sa and NZ .
Selector
Guest
Australia should have as many teams in Super Rugby as Japan at the moment...