Brumbies grind out ugly win

Brumbies grind out ugly win

1 Jun 2012

JON CARDINELLI reports on the Brumbies’ 27-19 victory over the Rebels on Friday.

This result sees the Brumbies consolidating their position at the top of the Australian conference. The four points would have been the objective in a clash before the break, but coach Jake White should be concerned with the quality of the performance against the Rebels.

The Brumbies were deserved if not comfortable winners. They had several chances to take this match away from the Rebels, but too often conceded points immediately after they had scored at the other end.

After 24 minutes, the scoreline was 14-3 in the Brumbies’ favour. The Rebels had just lost prop Jono Owen to a yellow card and the Brumbies had eventually penetrated the visitors’ defence. Following Andrew Smith’s try, however, a determined pack of Rebels forwards began to earn some reward for their physicality at the collisions.

Julian Huxley kicked three more penalties to leave the hosts trailing by just 14-12 at half-time. The Rebels were unlucky not to score before the break when James Hilgendorf danced through a gap and flew towards the tryline. Only some desperate scrambling defence by Brumbies centre Pat McCabe denied the Rebels a try.

Flyhalf Zack Holmes kicked a penalty after half-time, and following a sustained period on attack the Brumbies eventually crossed the tryline. It was at this point that the Brumbies enjoyed a 12-point lead, but the result was far from secure.

Cooper Vuna scored for the Rebels immediately after the restart and Huxley’s fantastic conversion brought the hosts back to within five points. The Brumbies’ defence had been found wanting once again.

Holmes goaled an important penalty in the 73rd minute to give the Brumbies an eight-point buffer, but almost on cue, the visitors’ allowed the Rebels to hit back.

Fortunately for the Brumbies, the Rebels turned down a kickable penalty and lost possession after a multiphase attack came to nought. The clock was on the visitors’ side as the Rebels continued to lose ball in contact and botch set-piece opportunities.


115 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 3 » Show All

  • 1.chch: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:28 am

    Charity quota 3rd spot on offer

  • 2.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:29 am

    I thought Mark Gerard ended up in hospital with damage to his sternum after that headbutt tackle by the Kiwi hooker. Didn’t think he’d be back this weekend.

  • 3.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:31 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-2:
    Ditto Mitch Inman.

  • 4.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:32 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-2:
    Great tackle it was, head on

  • 5.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:33 am

    @John Galt(John Galt)-3: Are you not thinking of Lachlan Mitchell? He was the other Rebels back taken out by the kamikaze hooker, and I see he’s not there.

  • 6.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:34 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-2:
    Beg your pardon, that was lachlan Mitchel.
    And he isnt playing. lol.

  • 7.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:35 am

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-4: No, it was a running headbutt. And he did it twice. Forget all this tip tackle nonsense – they should be looking at the really dangerous stuff.

  • 8.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:47 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-7: filthy kiwi’s

  • 9.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:50 am

    This is going to be another high scoring game!

  • 10.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:50 am

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-8: Not all of them. Zinzan Brooke was okay. And that Lomu bloke. And the guy who made Lord of the rings. That’s about all I can think of now.

  • 11.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:50 am

    @ sasuke Does that include the 17 Kiwis in the Wannabes?

  • 12.chch: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:51 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-7:

    Who against?

  • 13.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:52 am

    You can just see JW/South Africa playbook shining through.

    Brumbies get turnover ball with advantage from a Rebels knock-on on their 22, huge overlap waiting but the player just couldn’t wait to kick that ball far away as possible.

  • 14.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:53 am

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-9:

    I think you’re gonna need to be high to enjoy this game which is going at snail’s pace at the moment.

  • 15.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:53 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-10: And that Rachel Hunter lass. She’s OK too ;)

  • 16.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:54 am

    Low intensity, low impact, low risk.

  • 17.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:55 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-7:
    Tackles were legal, you may cry about it but nothing you can do. A head on tackle is just that.
    Why dont you follow the round ball game, rugby is just to hard for you.

  • 18.viewer: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:56 am

    Cadeyrn Neville 2 metre 120 kg former elite rower turned lock

  • 19.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:00 pm

    @chch(chch)-12: The Hurricanes hooker, Motu Matu’u. Check it out here:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFsXflfeVkc

  • 20.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:00 pm

    @AiDoc(AiDoc)-11: yes

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-10: lol

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-14: you holding?

  • 21.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:02 pm

    @viewer(viewer)-18: that guy got good fantasy points a few weeks ago? is he bulky or defined?

  • 22.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:06 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-17: Come on, Hurricane, I know you’re not one of the stupid Kiwis here. Those childish “rugby’s too hard for you” comments are the stuff of your juvenile chums. Both tackles were clearly dangerous, as the tackler led with his head, and then swept his head up into the chest ad chin area as he made contact.

    A couple of years ago there was no such offense as a tip tackle, or taking the man out in the air. But the potential of serious or even life threatening injury made them re-look the rules. I suspect one or two more of these headbutt tackle injuries will make the IRB do the same.

  • 23.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:07 pm

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-7:

    agreed.

    horrific.

    not an arm in sight.

    and these queens complained about the butcher.

  • 24.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:14 pm

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-22: So he did it twice?

  • 25.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:15 pm

    Can’t take the suspense.

    Boss isn’t looking, the pub down the road’s open, I’m outta here…

  • 26.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:19 pm

    Front on tackling when done with that timing and power gonna hurt.To say its a flying headbutt is a stretch…..or should that be stretcher.

  • 27.chch: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:20 pm

    Great dummy but should he have just passed

  • 28.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:24 pm

    @BrumbiesBoy(BrumbiesBoy)-25: go for it buddy. its friday!

  • 29.chch: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:25 pm

    Why no alternate colour away strip. This close forward play is a mess to watch

  • 30.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:25 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-24: Yep, first one damaged Gerard’s sternum, and second one knocked Mitchell out cold. Same deliberate technique in both.

  • 31.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:28 pm

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-22:
    Nope i disagree.
    So now you cant tackle anyone straight on, you cant lead with the shoulder, what else do you want?
    I honestly think rugby is becomnig really soft, this allows for cheating and all sorts.
    Rules sucks balls as well.
    Rugby needs an over haul.

  • 32.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:29 pm

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-23:
    Of course you would agree.
    Yet you have no problem with the enforcer brand of player if he plays for SA.

  • 33.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:33 pm

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-30:
    He was on the news tonight, in fact he was at a high school showing how to tackle.
    The tackle is legal.
    As for someone saying no arms ( Gunther ) …..hahahaha yeah right. Arms wrap right around the players.

  • 34.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:35 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-31: Forget for a minute this “straight-on tackle” euphemism and consider what actually happened: He ran head first into the ball carrier, lifting his head up into the guy’s upper chest and face as he made contact. Once would be unfortunate, but twice within 10 minutes is more than a little suspicious. This is not about rugby “becoming soft” – it’s about avoiding players getting killed. Anyway, I don’t see you campaigning for tackles in the air to be brought back, or for the return of spear tackling.

  • 35.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:37 pm

    And blindly defending a bloke, regardless of what he did, simply because he plays for the Hurricanes is a bit silly, don’t you think?

  • 36.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:37 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-32:

    don’t be a numpty.

    the arms wrap around AFTER the initial contact.

    don’t come with that enforcer bullshit.

    rather stick to telling us how many satelllite tvs you have.

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-22:

    he is one of those stupid kiwis.

    sadly.

  • 37.chch: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:39 pm

    should have kicked for his winger

  • 38.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:41 pm

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-34:
    we have to many rules already.
    Now you would like more in the tackle area. Get ready for penalties galore.
    Any head clashes, you will see TMO looking for who started the head clash first.
    I am all for safety but there comes a point where you have to stop with adding rules.
    I think lifting in the lineout is dangerous, that can break a back or neck if done incorrectly. I think its only a matter of time when someone is seriously injured from a lineout.
    But should we say no lifting in the lineouts now?? Hell no, its rugby.

  • 39.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:46 pm

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-36:
    same ole song from Gunther.
    And you think you are one of the bright South Africans…far from it.
    Wasnt us Kiwis calling for the enforcer tag, everyone should have one blah blah blah.
    Four digital tvs, in this house. Lounge 55inch 3d panasonic Plasma for the sport, full HD sky.I can run movies from the tv from any one of the computers i have in the house. Bedroom 42 inch 3D samasung LCD.
    kids rooms all have 27 inch lcds with digital sky tv.
    Should i carry on for you?

  • 40.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:47 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-39:
    5 digital tvs setup, forgot about the oldest girl cos shes never here.

  • 41.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:50 pm

    **** me, i just found this on you tube.
    Check out Danie Gerber, wicked steps of both feet….wow thats awesome.

  • 42.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:50 pm

    Opps
    here it is
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VY1RjEMQhE&feature=related

  • 43.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:51 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-38: Sill little justification arguments, really. You’re scraping the barrel here.

    In a nutshell, we ban the deliberate acts in collisions that endanger the lives of players: you’re not allowed to land a punch in a tackle, you’re not allowed to shoulder charge in a tackle, you’re not allowed to grab a bloke around the head or neck, you’re not allowed to take the guy out in mid-air… And so it stands to reason that you should not be allowed to DELIBERATELY headbutt a guy in a tackle. This seems like the most dangerous of all kinds of tackles, so it should be removed from the game.

    Defending it, beyond any logic, just because a player in your team got away with it a couple of times is stupid, as you’ll no doubt realise when you reflect upon this chat in the harsh and blinding light of sobriety.

  • 44.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:51 pm

    JdV’s still struggling with the flu.

    I still say the Stormers backline look much more threatening without him there.

  • 45.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:52 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-39: impressive!

    tv in bedroom? that means you and your wife dont have s e x.

  • 46.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:52 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-39: Sounds like you’re towing two full size caravans there. Impressive.

  • 47.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:54 pm

    welcome back robbie coleman

  • 48.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:55 pm

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-46: lol

  • 49.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:58 pm

    Hurricane
    NZ’s property bubble is busy popping,you may well want to sell your 3 houses now and count your losses.
    Are they real houses or caravans and sheds in the back of your yard?
    Rhetorical question.

  • 50.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:58 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-45:
    Depends, which wife you talking about?

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