Brumbies too good for Tahs
5 May 2012
SIMON BORCHARDT reports on the Brumbies’ 23-6 win against the Waratahs in Canberra that extended their lead at the top of the Australian conference.
Jake White’s side, who have a bye next week, are now nine points ahead of the Waratahs on the Super Rugby log and 10 ahead of the Reds, who play the Crusaders in Christchurch on Sunday. A play-off spot is now theirs to lose.
The Brumbies’ sixth win of the season was a clinical one. They dominated the breakdown, with Michael Hooper again excelling, defended well, and constantly attacked the advantage line from set pieces through flyhalf Christian Lealiifano. The Waratahs, meanwhile, had 60% of the ball but spent most of the match inside their own half. They couldn’t get out of it because they weren’t prepared to play a kicking game and their backline attacks were largely ineffective because they didn’t play with enough width.
The Waratahs dominated possession in the first half, but it was the Brumbies who went into the break with a 13-6 lead thanks to a try from Henry Speight after the hooter. The hosts had taken the ball through 11 phases before sending it wide to the winger, who seemed to have no room to move next to the right-hand touchline. But outstanding footwork saw Speight brush off Berrick Barnes’ poor tackle and then step inside past another two defenders to score.
The Brumbies struck again early in the second half when they kicked a penalty into the Waratahs’ 22, won the lineout and bashed away at the tryline with their forwards. Eventually, after 15 phases, the ball went out to outside centre Andrew Smith, whose try made it 20-6.
A Lealiifano penalty gave the Brumbies a 17-point cushion with 10 minutes to go, and while they were reduced to 14 men shortly after, when captain Ben Mowen was yellow carded for a professional foul, it didn’t prevent them from finishing the game strongly.
24 Comments
5 May 2012, 11:26 am
Normally I’m not interested in Australian derbies, but this might be quite watchable.
5 May 2012, 11:44 am
Well done chiefs,just need the Tahs to keep my picks intact.
5 May 2012, 11:45 am
@Todd W(Todd W)-1: Whos your pick Todd?
5 May 2012, 11:50 am
Australian derby = snore fest. The conference format is superkak.
5 May 2012, 12:05 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-4:
Except for the Aussies.
5 May 2012, 12:06 pm
These all Aussie matchs are harder to pick than a broken nose.
5 May 2012, 12:07 pm
@LITELOCK(LITELOCK)-3:
My pick is the Brumbies. They are playing at home, and they pushed the Bulls real close. But really, there is not much between these two teams. Waratahs are a better outfit than I initially thought at the start of the season, so who knows?
5 May 2012, 12:10 pm
Who knows? The real question is who cares?
5 May 2012, 12:14 pm
If you are having any trouble putting your kids to sleep, make them watch an aussie derby.
5 May 2012, 12:19 pm
The good news is that these two sides will play against each other again this season.
5 May 2012, 12:19 pm
The Brumbies backs are offside at just about every ruck.
5 May 2012, 12:26 pm
@scrumfan(scrumfan)-9: Kids arent the problem…….i cant stay awake! I’ll catch up in the morning. Have a good one and ill see you tomorrow
5 May 2012, 12:31 pm
Wish I could swop places with you guys…I’m working.
Sometimes life is so unfair…
5 May 2012, 12:36 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-8:
With only one Australian team likely to make the Finals (at this rate), it sort of matters who the NZ and SA teams will be facing.
5 May 2012, 12:48 pm
Just realised that Jake has Laurie Fischer asforwards coach and Larkham as backline coach. Not a bad team of assistants.
5 May 2012, 12:53 pm
Superb handling by the Brumbies. And the passes go to a man in a better position. Unlike most saffa sides where they get man and ball at the same time.
5 May 2012, 13:00 pm
Gee whizz these Aussie games are boring.
Dump the S15 conference format asap.
5 May 2012, 13:15 pm
yawn
5 May 2012, 13:22 pm
Sheesh that brumby 11. Good skills set
5 May 2012, 13:52 pm
Brumbies scrumhalf kicking reminded me of——Wait for it—Dirk de Vos.
5 May 2012, 13:54 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-17:
agree
the only good thing about watching Aussie sides play is for the Aussie Commentators. They besta round.
5 May 2012, 14:26 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-17:
Last week you were telling us how boring the NZ games were, now you’re telling us the Aus games are boring what’s next?
5 May 2012, 14:42 pm
Playing with too much width when you get dominated at the breakdown is never going to work. think people, frikin think. tahs did kick a lot in the first half but it didnt work just beaten by a better side in the end.
5 May 2012, 14:44 pm
@David(David)-11: No they arent you are frikin blind.
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