Brumbies back on Super Rugby winners list

A return to Canberra has reignited the Brumbies’ Super Rugby season, scoring a 24-17 victory over the Sharks on Saturday night.

Entering the match at GIO Stadium after two straight defeats to Australian Conference rivals, all the pressure was on Dan McKellar’s team to deliver.

While it wasn’t always pretty, the Brumbies did enough to account for their South African opponents and square their season ledger at 2-2 heading into a bye.

A failure to score – despite creating golden chances – haunted the Brumbies in previous losses and it was evident.

Curwin Bosch crossed for the Sharks late in the contest to ensure it was two tries each.

McKellar made the brave call to swing the axe four games into his coaching tenure, but the six changes worked.

Switching captain Christian Lealiifano to inside centre and putting Wharenui Hawera at No.10 worked wonders as they combined together perfectly.

The pair quipped on Friday about having a “kick-off” at training to decide who would take matchday kicking duties.

Hawera had a brilliant night with the boot, slotting all of his penalty kicks to repay the faith shown from McKellar in an inspired performance.

The Brumbies should have been further in front than 10-3 at half-time, failing to capitalise on some golden opportunities in attack.

Henry Speight crashed over for an early second-half try, but the Sharks’ Thomas du Toit crossed for a converted try not long after to keep the visitors in the hunt.

Brumbies 24
Sharks 17