Brumbies still breathing in semi race
8 May 2010
A 31-3 bonus-point victory over the Highlanders kept the Brumbies in contention for a play-off place.
The Brumbies entered this contest aware that anything but a bonus-point victory would seriously undermine their push for the play-offs.
They certainly made heavy work of it, Matt Toomua scoring their fourth try in the last minute of the match, but the record books will reflect a crucial win, not the nature thereof.
A lesser side would have shelved their traditional strength in pursuit of the prize, in the Brumbies’ case that being a high-tempo, multi-phase approach. However, the Brumbies never succumbed in that manner, although they were hardly clinical.
The Highlanders simply couldn’t live with the pace and intensity of the Brumbies’ attacking play, and indeed the physicality and organisation of their defence. The sheer number of tackles they were required to make depleted their defence and, eventually, their resolve.
The hosts hit with a left-right combination within 20 minutes, Rocky Elsom rumbling over for the first and Salesi Ma’afu finishing an 11-phase move that was birthed in their own 22m. Giteau converted both tries for a 14-0 lead.
Having rarely progressed beyond their half in the first quarter, the Highlanders managed to exert a sustained period of pressure on the Brumbies, but basic handling errors and some poor decision making in dangerous positions robbed them of the opportunity of scoring a try.
Giteau and Israel Dagg traded penalties just before half-time, the Brumbies leading 17-3.
Any ambitions the Highlanders may have haboured of a dramatic comeback were doused when Matt Toomua put a mesmerising step on the defence and some superb support play crafted a try for Josh Valentine. Giteau added the extras while referee Chis Pollock compounded the Highlanders’ woes by binning Dagg for repeated cynical play.
But the Brumbies were laboured and failed to capitalise on their advantage. They did, however, shake off their lethargy going into the final ten minutes, reverting to a tighter attack, and were twice denied the decisive try.
Tyrone Smith then coughed up the ball 5m short of the tryline after a scintillating break; and one wondered whether the Brumbies would be the architects of their own demise. However, Toomua’s sniping step and dash for the line salvaged the result and allowed his team-mates, the coaching staff and their supporters to breathe a massive sigh of relief.
There’s still work to be done, and a final round fixture against the Crusaders, who themselves are in search of a semi-final place; in Christchurch is one of the game’s hardest tasks.
By Ryan Vrede
227 Comments
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8 May 2010, 14:51 pm
Crusaders now 6th on the log.
Sounds about right….for at team that only won 7/12.
8 May 2010, 14:52 pm
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-191:
Of course Kevin. Don’t think many will admit that their
great-grandmother was the housekeeper to the white boss.
A bit like Coloureds who only talk about their
great-grandfathers from England, France, Netherlands etc but never mention their Nama great-grandmothers.
8 May 2010, 14:53 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-194: Maybe those Maori blokes are well hung and ‘collect sea shells’ is some sort of Maori code for ‘come get some’.
8 May 2010, 14:53 pm
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-200: hehe!
8 May 2010, 14:54 pm
**** ** **** *** *
8 May 2010, 14:54 pm
Zero people at Kings Park next weekend would send out a strong message to the Sharks Union.
8 May 2010, 14:55 pm
@Kronung(redj)-201: That’s fair … it hasn’t been a good season for them and their trip overseas is 0 from 3 (if i remember correctly). So they don’t really deserve a semi-spot IMO.
8 May 2010, 14:55 pm
Sorrythere is already g a y team
8 May 2010, 14:57 pm
@Jim Bobby the Lumberjack(Jim Bobby the Lumberjack)-199: I’d start here:
1. Delete Smit, he is over it.
2. Appoint Eddie Jones
3. Director of Rugby.
4. Plumtree forwards coach.
5. No Hugh Reece-Edwards
6. No kiwi bacline coach.
7. Find a 10 from the Academy.
8. Pray that this year’s purchases don’t all get run over/break a leg/quite rugby like this year.
8 May 2010, 14:57 pm
@CharlieBrown(CharlieBrown)-207: the Crusaders have made 11 semis in 14 years of S12/14.
The comp needs a new flavour.
8 May 2010, 14:57 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-196:
Brian Habana certainly looks as if he has some Nama features looking at his cheek bones.
8 May 2010, 14:58 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-209: Good ideas. At least you have 8 of them.
The Sharks Union have none because they are telling us nothing needs to change.
Plonkers.
8 May 2010, 14:59 pm
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-209: they spell G a y “Western Province” and “Kearsney” in South Africa.
8 May 2010, 15:00 pm
@Jim Bobby the Lumberjack(Jim Bobby the Lumberjack)-210: If there is a team that could step up to the plate it would have to be the Stormers. They have played well this year, competed as a team and not as a bunch of stars. The Bulls are exactly the same, a team not a bunch of individuals.
8 May 2010, 15:00 pm
@CharlieBrown(CharlieBrown)-204: No, code for come get some is “I have a 6 pack of Tui in my Holden”
8 May 2010, 15:01 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-213: “Michaelhouse” or “Hilton” have copyrighted g a y in SA.
Kearsney? Nope, not even close.
8 May 2010, 15:02 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-215: Problem with Sharks:
1. No 10, 12, 13.
2. Fat Captain
3. No phased attack, one phase approch
4. No backline straight runners
5. Soft 4 and 5
6. No visionaries.
8 May 2010, 15:02 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-214: that would make a change seeing as they have only ever made 2 semis before…
Good to see different teams in the mix.
8 May 2010, 15:03 pm
What is it with all the ho m o phobia about Capetown? Big deal it has a risque population, but so has Sydney. We host a huge mardi gras every year… does it mean Sydney is f a g s v i l l e? Nah.
8 May 2010, 15:03 pm
@Jim Bobby the Lumberjack(Jim Bobby the Lumberjack)-217: I’ll go with Hilton. And Cape Town
8 May 2010, 15:05 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-220: it’s not homophobia, it’s not about the g a y lifestyle, it’s the other use of the word g a y, as in, that’s a very g a y coat you have on.
8 May 2010, 15:09 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-217: I concur and I could whine about my Tahs too. It is tough work being a fan eh!
8 May 2010, 15:11 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-223: It is, especially an all knowing, all wise fan like myself who should be the head coach, the first choice 10 and place kicker. CEO perhaps and selector and of course all match day officials, but without the fake tan.
8 May 2010, 15:11 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-221: I catch your drift, I have a son that gets around in skinny black jeans and shirt. My god I shake my head at him… he pulls the women
8 May 2010, 15:14 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-225: yeah, that’s it. Like those ‘tennis peaks’ the Stormers wear, I mean, they are peaks without the hat bit. Incredibly g a y. Like waxing your legs and sunbathing on Camps’ Bay. It’s just not cricket LOL
8 May 2010, 15:16 pm
Off the watch the Lion and Blues
have a nice day.
8 May 2010, 15:27 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-221: You guys are just jealous of style
(kidding)
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