The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies picked up a losing bonus point in a 35-29 defeat to the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium, with the away side claiming the inaugural edition of the Captain Shout Cup during Anzac Weekend Round.
Tries from Allan Alaalatoa, Luke Reimer, Len Ikitau and Andy Muirhead saw the Brumbies enter the final minutes in contention, however they couldn't find a way through a resolute Hurricanes defence to claim victory.
Head coach Stephen Larkham praised the opponents for their win and stressed the importance of preparing well for our next fixture against the Waratahs next weekend.
"I thought that was a really good performance from the Hurricanes. They had really good variety with their attack and held the ball for long passages," Larkham said.
"We defended quite well, I thought. We missed a few tackles out wide, but we scrambled well and held them out for long periods on our line. However, in the end, their ball movement and their recycling was pretty impressive out there tonight.
"Any extra point that you get, whether it's a winning or a losing bonus point, they're all vital at this stage of the competition. The most important thing for us now is to make sure that we get over this game, we recover really well. We start preparing tomorrow with the guys that need to do their preparation for the Waratahs. Then we get in on Monday and we get our detail right for next weekend."
The teams came out to silence at GIO Stadium, as the crowd paid tribute to those who have served and continue to serve for Australia and New Zealand, which was followed by a seven-person catafulque party and both national anthems.
Brumbies early defence stood up to a stern test from the visitors, the home side camped within their own half for the opening five minutes of the match.
Their patience paid dividends, however, when Alaalatoa capped off a persistent attack with a burrowing try in the ninth minute. Sparked by a rampant Tuaina Taii Tualima down the left-hand side, the skipper chalked up his fifth try of the season. The celebrations were somewhat muted due to a lengthy TMO investigation, but resumed in full force as the try was awarded.
A passing clinic from the visitors saw them hit back on the scoreboard via Billy Proctor, who stepped inside sharply to bring the score to 7-5 in the 13th minute.
It wasn’t long before the Brumbies extended their lead through Noah Lolesio, who had no issues with a penalty kick 30 metres out.
The Hurricanes hit back following a sustained period of possession courtesy of Ngatungane Punivai in the 26th minute, albeit not without controversy. The strong Canberran crowd made their displeasure known when replays appeared to show the final pass travel in a forward direction.
Just one minute later, the men from Wellington extended their lead to five through a Ruben Love penalty.
The boos didn’t subside in the nation’s capital after flyer Andy Muirhead was upended in a dangerous tackle. The incident went unpunished by referee Paul Williams, however.
Their grievances were later replaced by joy, as Reimer crossed the stripe with a pick and go - levelling scores at 15-15 with seven minutes remaining in the first half.
The deadlock wasn’t to last long, with Kini Naholo seizing the opportunity created by his fellow backs. A clever grubber through the defensive line saw the Hurricanes recapture the lead in the 37th minute.
That would prove the final score of the half, the Hurricanes boasting a 20-15 lead at the break.
The opening minutes of the first half saw Brumbies fans watching between their fingers, as the home side’s stoic defence eventually conceded a penalty goal in the 45th minute.
It was Ikitau – fresh off the announcement of his re-signing this week, who proved his importance to the side yet again, bouncing off defenders to secure a vital 48th minute try. Hailed “the best defensive centre in the world” by his coach, Ikitau added a fifth try to his 2025 tally.
The crowd had hardly finished celebrating when Naholo crossed again for the Hurricanes, pushing their lead to a game-high eight points at 22-30.
Taii Tualima was the reluctant recipient of the match’s first yellow card in the 57th minute, the consequence of a high shot on Love.
Ill-discipline would continue to hurt the home side, as a penalty in front was converted into yet another five-pointer for the Kiwis. This time, it was a well worked set piece straight from the scrum which saw Punivai cross untouched in the corner to take the score to 22-35.
Clever thinking from a fresh Klayton Thorn saw the Brumbies go within metres of scoring, before scrambling Hurricanes defence ensured the deficit remained 13 with only 10 minutes to play.
A more familiar style of play returned for the Brumbies, who advanced down the field on the back of a 71st minute scrum penalty. The forwards heaped pressure on the ‘Canes defence, before the backline stood up to send Muirhead over for a timely score.
That reduced the margin to six points at 29-35 with only 7 minutes left on the clock. It would prove too little, too late for the Canberrans, who, despite their best efforts, were unable to re-capture the lead.
Attention turns to the Waratahs match-up next week, in what shapes as a must-win clash for both sides.
Brumbies 29
Tries: Alaalatoa, Reimer, Ikitau, Muirhead
Cons: Lolesio 3/4
Pens: Lolesio 1/1
Hurricanes 35
Tries: Proctor, Punival 2, Naholo 2
Cons: Love 2/4, Harkin 0/1
Pens: Love 2/2
ACT BRUMBIES v HURRICANES TEAMS
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
HURRICANES (1-15): Tevita Mafileo, Raymond Tuputupu, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Zach Gallagher, Brad Shields (co-c), Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Kini Nanolo, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (co-c), Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Will Tucker, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Bailyn Sullivan
