They lost the battle, but the war is still to be won. Despite going down 32-27 to the Hurricanes in Wellington, the Brumbies showed they are well and truly Super Rugby contenders in 2023.
An inability to exit their own half after scoring and a couple of dubious tries to the Hurricanes saw the home side make it a frustrating night for the visitors.
Nonetheless, the Super Rugby standings aren’t lying. The Brumbies will still feel like they’re firmly in the mix this season and their losing bonus point meant they are hanging onto second position for now.
“Being a big game it always comes down to little key moments, which we weren’t too good at tonight,” Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa reflected at fulltime.
“A lot dropped ball and missed one-on-one tackles, so you’ve got to take your hat off to the Hurricanes.”
Nick Frost scored two tries but it wasn’t enough as the Hurricanes edged the Brumbies at Sky Stadium in Wellington. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
It was a case of one step forward, two back for Australia’s best Super franchise.
With Tom Wright growing with every game in the No.15 jersey, Corey Toole a constant threat out wide and Rob Valetini making metres in the middle, the Brumbies had plenty of X-factor. The issue was they didn’t exit their own line with the precision needed by championship sides.
Nor could they contain the likes of Asafo Aumua either, with the massive hooker contributing to the 40 missed tackles – many of which were in tight.
It was in that area that Len Ikitau’s absence was felt, with the Wallabies centre left behind to ensure he’s fit for the back half of the season.
Unfortunately, too, former sevens star Ben O’Donnell, who scored a hat-trick against the Fiji Drua, looked to have suffered a bad knee-injury.
Tom Wright was one of the Brumbies’ best during their 32-27 defeat to the Hurricanes on April 28, 2023, in Wellington. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
The Brumbies made the perfect start to the match when Nick Frost scored after an incredible counter from former sevens sensation Toole.
But their early lead didn’t last long after Test halfback Nic White kicked out on the full from the kick restart.
Despite some stoic defence, the Hurricanes eventually hit back to level the score through loose-forward Devan Flanders.
A questionable short lineout throw from Asafo Aumua then saw Ardie Savea take advantage of a poor missed tackle from Frost to give the home side a lead.
But Frost made up for his mistake, running 75 metres to score after the Hurricanes’ short kicking game backfired and saw the big lock show all the speed that made him a schoolboy sprinter.
A Jordie Barrett penalty on the stroke of half-time and some clever work from halfback Cam Roigard saw the Hurricanes extend their lead to 22-14.
After Jack Debreczeni’s super touch finder from a penalty, Rory Scott hit back for the visitors through the Brumbies’ rolling maul to cut the margin to three.
Once again though the Brumbies were unable to exit their own line soon after as replacement halfback Ryan Lonergan twice attempted to slow the tempo down but possibly contributed to a jittery Debreczeni spilling the ball.
The pressure heaped the pressure back onto the Brumbies and soon after Barrett banged over another three.
The game was effectively over when fullback Aidan Morgan crashed over just next to the posts from a set-piece play from a scrum.
Loose-forward replacement Luke Reimer complained of being held back at the scrum. He was, but local referee James Doleman turned a blind eye to the clear interference.
Some more individual brilliance from Wright, who was one of the Brumbies’ best despite one or two clumsy moments that could have been penalised, gave the Brumbies a late sniff. Unfortunately, it was only a sniff as Lonergan’s kick from out wide missed.
While the Brumbies couldn’t win, an excellent penalty from Lonergan after regular time saw the visitors at least take a losing bonus point back to Canberra.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
You’re probably right.
ScottD
Roar Guru
The actual question should be "which side uses it well"
ScottD
Roar Guru
The box kick when executed by Aaron Smith in the weekend was quick, opportunistic, smartly executed and showed tactical nous. The box kicks executed by our Nick (and the week before by Ian Prior) were problematic, slow, mostly poorly executed and basically to our disadvantage. I don't think anyone would dispute good kicking adds to your game. It's the other kicking that everyone gets grumpy about.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I agree mate, readers are expected to show some levels of biased opinions but the writers are expected to be balanced with their reporting. :thumbup:
Malotru
Roar Rookie
I guess The Roar isn't the place to read non-biased opinions Tim, having said that we all have our biases. But journalists and editors should at least try to be unbiased lest they quickly lose credibility.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
G’day Malotru, I all except is a non biased article especially from an expert. He likes to create controversy with his headlines.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Paid by them to I expect Coker.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Yeah, you've got to worry about Christy, he's lost any credibility he may have had.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
And despite losing two locks early Phantom.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Err isn't Damon 'the exorcist' Murphy an Aussie Ash?
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Tim J, Christy is another of the pundits who believe that the referees are all biased against the brilliant Aussie teams. Christy is convinced that if the referreing had been impartial all comp, the top five teams would be Aussie.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
The five metre ones are hardly ever straight though.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Correct piru and this round there were more than ever. Only one pulled up that I can recall.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Not in Greysy land, and he would know.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Yes Qualify, hope indeed. There's always a lot of hope on the roar along with 'dubious referreing', oh and let's not forget the young guns, plenty of them as well.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
No they haven't and yes they have lost their aura.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Points scored against.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Why else for the low scores? Well as you pointed out AUS pathways need a lot of improvement, so I would put low scores down to skill development & levels of fitness to be more attributable. Aussies will always have ticker but just cannot match the skill & fitness in general over 80mins or in a series at this stage. I’m more interested to the point you raised about AUS not having a Collins & perhaps that’s granted. I’d like to hear who you think in the ABs is the next Collins/Kaino. There’s been plenty of commentary from IRE/FRA/ENG that the ABs have lost their aura/fear factor. I think the ABs have not found that next 6 in the Collins/Kaino mould. Peter, do you think ABs have found their next Collins/Kaino?
KTinHK
Roar Pro
rusty
Roar Rookie
No. Sometimes it's a draw!!