The Plus500 Brumbies have comprehensively beaten the Sunwolves 47-14 in round six of Super Rugby at WIN Stadium in Wollongong thanks to seven tries and a flawless performance off the tee from Ryan Lonergan.
Kicking five from five, Lonergan dazzled in first start for the club, chipping in a try of his own, his first in Super Rugby, to get the Brumbies going in the 10th minute.
Will Miller’s return to Illawarra went as well as could have hoped, his happy childhood memories of WIN Stadium continuing when he went over for the Brumbies second try, his first for the club.
The Sunwolves were far from beaten however despite the early setback, and began to get a foothold in the game. After a number of close calls, the Sunwolves eventually crossed the line off a perfectly executed maul.
With time dwindling in the first half, the Brumbies looked to restore their two-try cushion. Hovering on the 22m, the Brumbies chucked one last throw of the dice at the Sunwolves.
Moving the ball left, Tevita Kuridrani found himself in front of four Sunwolves defenders, with only Rob Valetini in support. Kuridrani whipped the ball wide to Valetini, the young backrow bulldozed his way to the line for what was the pick of the first half tries.
Lonergan’s conversion matched the effort, giving the Brumbies a 21-7 lead heading into the break.
The second half began as the first ended, the Brumbies on top and moving the ball from touchline to touchline. Eventually, the endeavour led to points and Toni Pulu was able to scoot home off some slick hands from Irae Simone.
Tevita Kuridrani all but sealed the Brumbies win in the 53rd minute, busting over from close range for his first try of the 2020 season.
That score was followed by possibly the try of the day.
James Slipper had the initial carry, ghosting through a gap before rolling over a few Sunwolves defenders.
Tom Banks almost finished the move himself but was clawed down.
He had the presence of mind to pop off to Valetini, and rather than look for his double, the youngster passed it on to Solomone Kata, and the former League star slid in for the try.
After the Sunwolves bagged a consolation late in the game, Joe Powell completed the Brumbies scoring in the 80th minute, diving over from close range.
The Brumbies now look forward to their round seven clash against fierce rivals, the Waratahs at GIO Stadium.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "They challenged us in that game, we knew they would, they're a great side."
"There's plenty of good things to like about our performance out there today and there'll be plenty we'll review and need to work on from one week to the next.
"To get five points, with our schedule changing again, for our benefit really, we're happy overall."
Brumbies 47 (Tries: R Lonergan, Miller, Valetini, Pulu, Kuridrani, Kata, Powell; Conversions: R Lonergan 5; Pasitoa) def Sunwolves 14 (Tries: Maafu, Stolberg; Conversions: April, Ogura)
The Plus500 Brumbies will take on the NSW Waratahs in round seven next Sunday afternoon at GIO Stadium, in a double header with the Super W side taking on the Queensland Reds beforehand. Tickets are available here.
