All Blacks skipper Sam Cane hailed the Brumbies as “benchmarks” after his outclassed Chiefs succumbed 38-28 in a pivotal Super Rugby Pacific encounter in Hamilton.
The Brumbies not only restored some battered pride to Australian rugby – following a sorry weekend for the Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels – but also reaffirmed their title credentials at FMG Stadium Waikato.
The Brumbies parlayed a resolute defensive display into a clinical attacking performance to consolidate second spot on the ladder despite the Chiefs’ clear possession and territorial advantage.
No wonder Brumbies captain Nic White was delighted.
“The boys really rolled up the sleeves tonight. Really proud of that effort. They’re an unbelievable side,” White said.
“We’d spoken about the intensity we’d have to go up. We’ve had a couple of good wins (over Kiwi sides) but they were at home. It’s very tough to come away and win.”
The stirring victory followed the table-topping Blues’ 71-28 humiliation of the Rebels on Friday night and the Highlanders scuppering of Queensland’s home final hopes with a 27-19 comeback over the Reds in Brisbane.
It also boosted NSW’s finals prospects, with the Waratahs joining the fourth-placed Chiefs on 32 competition points after a 26-20 triumph over Moana Pasifika in Auckland earlier on Saturday.
The Brumbies were clinging to an 18-14 lead after the two sides traded a pair of tries in an entertaining first half.
But Lenny Ikitau’s strike two minutes after the break blew the game open, sending the Brumbies two converted tries clear.
The buffer proved enough despite powerhouse No.8 Pita Sowakula briefly reducing the deficit to seven points with a try in the 57th minute.
Finishing hooker Billy Pollard sealed the deal with a try nine minutes from time as the Brumbies chalked up their fourth win from their past five trips to New Zealand.
The last time the ACT outfit enjoyed a longer winning streak against their vaunted trans-Tasman rivals was a three-match winning stretch eight years ago.
The Brumbies’ run left vanquished Chiefs skipper Sam Cane hailing Dan McKellar’s men as serious contenders to become Australia’s first Super Rugby champions since the Waratahs in 2014.
“We got what we expected from the Brumbies,” Cane said.
“They’ve been setting the benchmarks in some ways throughout the comp and we knew we’d be in for a massive battle here tonight.
“They put a lot of pressure on us at the breakdown – it was messy there – and I thought their kicking game was really good.
“A lot of their contestable kicking was good and they pinned us in areas of the park and, when we tried to play too much in our own half, they were good enough to force an error or a penalty.
“We were always chasing it. It sucks, quite frankly.”
The Brumbies face an even sterner examination of their title credentials in the coming fortnight when they tackle 12-times champions the Crusaders and 2021 winners the Blues in successive games.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Fox - I don't agree. IMO McDermott has the most x-factor, he has been one of the few attacking threats for the reds against the nz teams. However White has a game better suited to controlling the tempo and organising and playmaking. I would certainly start White against NZ teams, he is one of the few halfbacks who have outplayed Smith as an example. McDermott is best used in the last 20-30 mins.
Fox
Roar Guru
Against England Pk I would start with White and have Gordan or McDermott to back him up off the bench. Gordan IMO has the most x-factor of the 3 so might be handy coming on with 20 to go. He has been in good form this year and shouldn’t be discounted. Against NZ I would reverse that and start McDermott
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
No they are not… what prof do you have of this? They are imploding because of injuries or should I say injury to JOC and also having his backup out and being forced to use an unproven asset in Creighton. I have a feeling we will see a huge improvement once JOC is back but that may be to late as we will be sitting to far down the table.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
21:7.... Any McKeller / Brumby heavy wallabies team will get their asses kicked.
Markus
Roar Rookie
How is that working out for them lately.
Markus
Roar Rookie
I think a lot of this comes down to how to define X-factor. For me the key criterion for X-factor is that it is involves a skill that is difficult to quantify. I would not put Pocock in that category as he applied his unique talent consistently, had minimal errors in his game (very low penalty count, no other glaring weaknesses in his game), and his impact was extremely quantifiable.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Lonergan very strong kicking and passing game, and quicker than White with ball in hand. Biggest thing I see needing improvement from him is his adaptability. There have been some times he gets too committed to the structures and phase play, and does not react quickly enough to what is going on around him. That situational awareness and decision making is something I am sure will come with more games and game time.
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree that McDermott has improved both his passing and kicking so they are of intl standard in the main. My point remains though that White's is at a level above. Just like White's running game is intl standard but McDermott's is a level above.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
The quality of the kick as well, having enough hang time so the chasers can get there..................This is where White is so much better than McDermott. I have been wondering about the quality of McDermotts kick recently Peter. I have not done enough reviewing of footage, but feel that McD kicks well often, but the Qld chasers are so often very hesitant. They get there. but then don't going and challenge. Looks as though they are very uncertain of their roles ie one man challenges, next one or two look for spilled ball, both in front and behind the catcher. Another point to note about McD. is that he had no box kick at all till about last 3 seasons. he has, I think, mastered it well enough.
Fox
Roar Guru
Yes that is completely true OOP but in all honesty any player, x-factor or not, can make costly error unless you are arguing they are more likely to than a non x-factor player but I am not sure that is true as plenty of very good players who are brilliant workhorses still make costly errors like penalties at the breakdown right in front and in the middle of the park etc. But maybe you could argue players who have x-factor in the pack do push the limits of the game - and i say maybe - more than others. Still its a thin line either way.
JC
Roar Rookie
McReight said this morning that Wilson passed his HIA — extraordinary considering he was knocked out. Have to think he’ll miss next week though.
Mo
Guest
Gotta err on the side of caution with hammies. You never really know when it’s too soon to play again
Double Agent
Guest
I think you'd have to be crazy to not see that at present the Brumbies are the best oz team.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Peter..im suspecting mcKellar will tweak his plan to a more possession gameplan against crusades..DC and his crew had a really great plan to nullify crusades attack in that first half..even if RM was playing for crusades what can you do if you rarely had possession..and when you do get the ball it is pressured and untidy...
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
:shocked:
Chronicle
Roar Rookie
Not sure about your numbers Brumbies won final in 2020 lost three in 2021 ( 2 in controversial circumstances) and went 1 each in 2022 Not sure how that converts to 1 in 5 make 2 and all games in 2021 close
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Nasser out for the season apparently, Wilson looked in a pretty bad way last night. Brown has been impressive.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
As I predicted at the beginning of the season the Reds are disintegrating, they're imploding under Thorn's tyranny.
Oblosnky’s Other Pun
Guest
The problem is that “x-factor” players can just as easily break open the game for the other side. That Blues midfield can be pretty devastating on attack, but could just as easily open the door to the Brumbies with a terrible error.
Fox
Roar Guru
Yeah that is a great point Pk - White is very good at the core rolls at 9 and at test level that can be very valuable.