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Embarrassed by the Blues a week ago, the ACT Brumbies have responded in the best possible fashion by knocking over the previously unbeaten Hurricanes 27-19 in one of the games of the season in Canberra on Saturday afternoon.
The brilliant win, which saw the Brumbies consolidate their place in the top four, was built off the back of three converted tries inside the opening 20 minutes.
But it was the resilient defence in the final 30 minutes that Larkham will be most pleased about, as the Brumbies held the competition leaders – and highest tryscorers – at bay.
The win was built off the back of a much improved physical display, where the Brumbies’ forwards rolled up their sleeves and played much tighter than in recent weeks.
Noah Lolesio scored an early try for the Brumbies in their upset win over the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium in Canberra on April 27, 2024. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The home side’s previously misfiring lineout operated with precision and their maul’s accuracy and potency returned to the heights it reached under Dan McKellar a few years ago.
“It was a good performance,” Larkham told Stan Sport. “We’re very happy at the moment.
“With the performance last week and the way the score blew out, it was quite embarrassing.
“The boys trained exceptionally hard last week. It’s hard to determine whether that turns into a good performance or not, but we certainly started the game on fire.
“I thought the intent was there in defence and we got a few chances in attack and we took them.
“Second half, it sort of fizzled out a little bit. I thought we were a little bit defensive in the last 20 minutes just trying to hold onto the lead, which you can’t do against New Zealand sides, but we held out.
“Everyone’s happy. It’s just a massive turn around from the embarrassment the previous week.”
Tamati Tua was one of the Brumbies’ best during their win over the Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon in Canberra. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
James Slipper was at the centre of the Brumbies’ success, while their back five forwards, especially Rob Valetini, were brilliant.
Playing behind a pack that held its own, fullback Tom Wright was superb.
The fleet-footed fullback’s decision-making and skill execution was spot on, while Noah Lolesio enjoyed a much happier afternoon.
Off-contract inside centre Tamati Tua also had his best match of the season, regularly getting over the gain line and scoring an important try.
“We needed a response and that’s exactly what we delivered,” interim captain Ryan Lonergan said.
“It was pretty grim on Monday in our review, so it’s very positive to roll that out this afternoon.”
Hurricanes skipper Brad Shields lamented his side’s slow start.
“Yeah, pretty disappointing the way we started,” he said.
“They got three tries pretty quick. We didn’t give ourselves a good enough chance and we were on the back foot early, but we couldn’t change that momentum.
“We had our chances, but I think we were a bit off this afternoon.
“It’s a bloody tough place to come and play and I think our set-piece wasn’t good enough.”
In good news, Wallabies star Allan Alaalatoa made a successful comeback from a nine-month absence from an Achilles injury. The tight-head prop played 40 minutes and was busy across the park.
But disappointingly, Wallabies loose-head prop Blake Schoupp dislocated his shoulder after being folded at the scrum.
Len Ikitau, who made a strong return from a knee injury, also left the field after 50 minutes following a head knock.
Early on and the Brumbies quickly got the ascendency after some excellent long kicking from the home side’s back three.
The territorial advantage gave the home side some strong early field position and the Brumbies took the early chance as Lolesio scored out wide.
Although Brett Cameron kicked out on the field from the restart, consecutive penalties gave the Hurricanes a chance to respond. They did through loose-head prop Xavier Numia.
But the Brumbies then turned it on by scoring twice in quick succession as Tua ran to the line and broke through some poor defence in the middle by the Hurricanes. Then Ollie Sapsford scored after some brilliant work from Wright and Valetini.
A penalty to Lolesio in the 27th minute saw the home side open up a 24-5 lead.
The Hurricanes however quickly responded as the visitors followed in the footsteps of the Blues a week earlier and took the Brumbies on up front. It worked as TJ Perenara directed his forwards around the corner and Numia had his second.
A huge scrum from Numia then saw Alaalatoa pushed backward but the Brumbies survived after replaement hooker Raymond Tuputupu infringed at the breakdown.
The Brumbies had an opportunity to score on the stroke of half time, but some scramble defence meant the home side led 24-12 at half time.
Lolesio extended the lead shortly after half time with three points, but Jordie Barrett hit back moments later following some excellent counter-attack by Reuben Love from a Lonergan clearing kick.
Having cut the lead to eight points, the Hurricanes looked like they were getting on top of the Brumbies but Wright’s decision making, as well as a great linebreak from Charlie Cale, allowed the home side to continue to exit their half well.
The little moments proving vital in their important win, with the Brumbies keeping in touch with the top two.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.