The Brumbies have failed to take a second Kiwi scalp, disappointingly falling to the Highlanders in their Friday night Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash in Canberra.
The Australian heavyweights were hopeful of backing up last week’s win over the high-flying Hurricanes, but were outplayed 33-12.
The bonus point win sent the men from Dunedin to the top of the ladder, with the two leading teams at the end of the round playing off in the final next Saturday.
All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith orchestrated the victory with a try in each half while he also set up another for winger Sio Tomkinson and was delighted to finish the regular season without a loss.
“I’m over the moon, a little bit shocked,” Smith told Stan Sport.
“In that last six minutes we did everything to give the game away and I’m really proud of the boys to hang in there.
“We’ve given it our best shot to make the final – we’ve won five in a row and I’m absolutely pumped.”
(Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
The Brumbies were right in the contest at halftime, trailing 12-14, but didn’t rise to the challenge in the second stanza at GIO Stadium.
Smith darted across the line from the back of the scrum to inflict the first wound in the 46th minute.
While the Brumbies pride themselves on their set-piece they were outsmarted at a five metre line-out when the Highlanders found Billy Harmon on the short side.
And then Smith, New Zealand’s most capped halfback, threaded a pass to Tomkinson to score their fifth try of the night and crucially put the Highlanders into bonus-point territory.
The Brumbies did their best to spoil their opponents’ finals hopes with a late try but couldn’t find their way to the line.
Earlier Brumbies hooker Lachlan Lonergan boosted his Wallabies selection chances with a try from a rolling maul.
Centres Irae Simone and Len Ikitau also combined for a first-half try to press their claims for a call-up for the Test squad to face France next month.
“It was a tough way to end the year,” Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa told Stan Sport.
“In the first half we thought we had the momentum but the Highlanders coming out and scoring two quick tries in the second half really hurt us.
“It’s been a huge learning for us – we’ve come away with one win in the competition so in terms of the review we’ve got to understand ways we can get better for next year.”
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Totally. I don’t trainload he was heading down the right path in Aus. Absolutely needs to be addressed how and why they were effective and RA were not in developing him.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
Bluesfan I don't think the Highlanders should be underrated. This was my pre-match summary on the Thursday night before the match: "It’s quite possible I’m a bit biased, but I think Ash Dixon is the best captain in New Zealand rugby; Aaron Smith is the best 9 in the rugby world; Tony Brown (with Jamie Joseph just behind his right shoulder whispering in his ear) is one of the smartest rugby brains in the world; Pari Pari Parkinson is one of the most promising locks in the world; Mitch Hunt is the second best true 10 in New Zealand; Michael Collins is a sure 13 for Wales at the 2023 RWC; Jona Nareki, Scott Gregory, Ethan De Groot and Billy Harmon are sure future All Blacks and Kazuki Himeno is the best of all the 8’s currently playing in New Zealand. Highlanders by 15" I actually got it wrong. I picked a winning margin of 15 but it turned out to be 21.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Guess you missed the scrums after where they pushed the Highlander’s back and should of been awarded with penalties as the Highlander’s wheeled the scrum to help get the ball out.
Double Agent
Guest
I agree Geoff. I can speak from experience when I say losing a tennis match is nothing at all like being bundled out. The latter is far more unpleasant.
moaman
Roar Guru
Geoff, there's a whole raft of things I could mention...... :sick:
Mel R
Roar Rookie
If I may add Highlanders really stepped it up big time lead by the supremely talented world class scrummie Aaron Smith. Just sincerely hoping that the current Superrugby TT will continue next year.Aussie teams now know where the bar is and if anything Kiwi rugby has exposed serious flaws in our game, we need to evolve.The gulf was always there it's just that now we can't hide! The traditional Superrugby finals series always disadvantaged kiwi teams and I'm glad that now they rightfully deserve to be there and not a second rate Aussie or Saffa team with a serious case of denial.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
After that showing up by Smith on White, I do think Rennie, will look a bit harder at McDermott, who in truth played a massive game in the Reds loss in Wellington. He just showed many of the skills he has developed under Thorn, as he has been getting better every year IMO. Anyway it really showed last night, that the Landers, are up for it, as they, this year, from memory, are the only NZ franchise to beat both the Blues & the Saders, even if it was in the Aotearoa, SR round robin. I actually put it down to Brownies ' nous'.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh Geoff, sad to see Rafa, bow out, but it happens. The unlikelyhood of competitive sport Bro !!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh Jacko, I'd love to see the Landers go through, but we only have to look at what the Saders can do, & the magnificent coach they have in Razor. Like he's never ever lost a Super Rugby title. Yeh, I know, there's a first time, but don't hold your breath.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Oh Bluesfan, are you joking??? Like a single run on AB in their ranks??? Apart from Smith, there is Ioane, Coltman, along with Nareki, & even with Nareki, Gregory who both starred for the AB Seven's. Like yes there was the likes of Frizell & Squire missing through injury, but the Landers, also have something the Blue's don't have, an international coach, & he's so good, he can coach them from Japan. I'm afraid, Brownie, would leave McDonald, the ex Cantabrian, in his dust. I'm not saying the Blues don't have quality players, as they do, but the coaching, is not that good.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
AAA and Sio looked ordinary last night at scrum time. They Pony rake (who is still a foal) could not even strike the ball in one scrum given the pressure they were under. Slipper and Neville are sorely missed.
TC
Roar Rookie
Paulo Skelton also increased his fitness and play by going O/S ..If he had stayed, this may not have happened (Surely Would NOT) ..So many questions about Aus Rugby, with not many answers
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Spare a thought for Deep Thinkin Dave Rennie and his cohorts as they gather around the Hangi tonight. Not sue if you can play a dirge on an Hawaiian guitar . Perhaps he can find a bloke with a dige to accompany Johnson as he pipes in the Haggis . Dave will have to open his eyes.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I think your both right. Which is the problem. You need the Wallabies and Aus SR firing to make money, but to get them firing you needs the talent coming through (or retained - eg skelton), but to do that you need to invest money to make all the fundamental changes at the lower levels. For that you need money. It’s a feedback loop. To get money, you need the talented players, to get the talented players, you need money. Where do you start?
Geoff Parkes
Expert
It's up there Moa with 'bundled out'. In tennis, nobody ever loses. It's compulsory to say they are bundled out.
moaman
Roar Guru
Afternoon Melissa, "but didn’t rise to the challenge in the second stanza at GIO Stadium." Do you think it is time someone notifies the Oxford English Dictionary about the new meaning of the word 'stanza' ? It is used a lot by rugby folk, like, er, um, it is immense. I reckon the various dictionaries need to keep up with the play! :silly:
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Mate I agree with all of that but I think even with the money to get those players in it won’t change things in the long term because the other issues are still there
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Cheers, that’s 33 more isn’t it? For points differential. Not easy, but not impossible. They better bring the fire and brimstone.
Puff
Roar Rookie
Melissa: as an armchair enthusiast there is no delight, in watching our two premier teams so comprehensively beaten by NZ’s two, less accomplished franchisers. Further, I will be flabbergasted if anyone is smiling after today. What I find exasperating, the sports administrators have this incessant desire to capture the 2027 WRC. Thinking it will resolve their flagging fortunes, when perhaps investing in changing the fundamental dynamics of our game at a younger age, may have better value. To my knowledge, these TT matches have a worldwide following as the Kiwi’s keep changing their intensity and introduce skill levels that are common place in their lower grades. All major sports evolve; it appears we need to play catch-up.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
BF. I have thought about this a bit and wonder if we have a progressive payment system for senior players that matches Euro/japan. Then I thought the bit that is missing is Oz players desire to live in other countries so that may involve a rotation that is being tried by the likes of Pocock and now Hooper getting time in Japan. What we need to ensure is that we get our players back. Japan's model may have some appeal ie financed by major companies and supported but TV rights and sponsors. The bit that has to give is the ARU model of management and finance generation. They have to beg companies like Qantas to had over some dough but it is not an inbred thing in Australia, it is more like a bone to a dog, when banks and financial institutes are making billions net a year.