Uncharacteristic errors proved costly as the ACT Brumbies fell 45–12 to the Hurricanes in Super Round, a result that halts their momentum and sends them back to Canberra searching for answers.
The defeat sees the Brumbies slip down the ladder, after a performance that never quite found its rhythm. It also marked their first loss to New Zealand opposition in five matches this season, leaving them one win shy of a rare clean sweep.
Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo was electric, spearheading the damage with a first-half hat-trick and finishing the night with four tries.
The Brumbies’ task became harder before kick-off, with influential prop Allan Alaalatoa ruled out due to a head knock, sidelining him for both the match and next week’s clash with the Reds.
On the field, momentum was elusive. Errant kicking, lineout inconsistencies, and lapses in defence compounded, leaving the Brumbies chasing the game at 19–0 by halftime.
Head Coach Stephen Larkham turned to his bench early in the second half, injecting fresh energy with changes including Blake Schoupp and Tane Edmed. The shift brought a spark.
A moment of brilliance from Corey Toole — flicking the ball back infield as he was forced into touch — found David Feliuai in support, who powered over for the Brumbies’ opening try.
But any hope of a sustained comeback was quickly shut down. The Hurricanes responded immediately, keeping the ball alive before Josh Moorby crossed for the first of his two tries.
Fineanganofo then added to his tally, capitalising on loose Brumbies handling to win the race to a bouncing ball and score his fourth.
The frustration continued when replacement Toby Macpherson was denied a try after review, with officials ruling a knock-on in the act of grounding.
Toole added a late highlight with a runaway try inside the final 10 minutes, but the Hurricanes had the final say, finishing with two more tries to seal a comprehensive victory.
The Brumbies now return to Canberra to regroup before turning their focus to the Queensland Reds, with a trip to Brisbane looming on Saturday, 2 May at 7.35PM AEST as they look to steady the season.
