The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies suffered a narrow loss on the road as they went down 49-34 to the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato.
The match proved a high-scoring affair, with a gallant Brumbies side scoring six tries through Nick Frost, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, Andy Muirhead (two) and Lachlan Lonergan. With the scores tied at the hour mark, the home side eventually pulled clear to extend their lead at the summit of the Smartech Super Rugby Pacific table.
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham commented on the topsy turvy nature of the contest and looked ahead to our next clash against the Blues next weekend.
“It was certainly back and forth the whole way through. We had some good passages, they had some good passages. It was a great spectacle and a continuation of what we’re seeing in Super Rugby at the moment, games are exciting and coming down to the last five minutes.
“We’ve got a six-day turnaround now before the Blues, so that makes it hard for us. We’re going to stay here in Hamilton for a couple of days and then we’ll head up to Auckland on Tuesday. We’ll make sure we recover really well tonight and then we should have everyone available for selection next week.”
It was the visitors who opened the scoring through a combination of vision and strength. Ryan Lonergan fired a long ball to a rampaging Frost on the wing, who resembled a truck going over a speed bump to find the line.
That lead didn’t last long, as the home side hit back through some backline brilliance that resulted in Anton Leinert-Brown crossing the stripe in the 13th minute. Josh Jacomb added another try just four minutes later, courtesy of a swift line-out move.
Some quick ball-movement from the Brumbies’ backs saw Meredith add to the Brumbies’ tally, before Tom Wright’s incredible last-ditch defence prevented a brilliant solo try for Damian Mackenzie.
Following a Chiefs penalty goal, Toole was the beneficiary of a well-worked play as the Brumbies levelled proceedings late in the first half.
A controversial held-up call ensured a tied game heading into half-time, however it was the Waikato men who came out firing to begin the second half. A piece of individual brilliance from Quinn Tupaea saw the Chiefs muster something from nothing as the Kiwis looked to stamp their authority on the match.
A well-worked set piece saw Gideon Wrampling crash over to extend the home side’s lead. Lachlan Lonergan kept the Aussies within touch, capitalising on their infamous rolling maul to wrestle back momentum.
A crafty kick from Muirhead saw Toole collect and break free before returning the favour to Muirhead. Replacement Jack Debreczeni levelled the scores from the tee with under 20 minutes remaining.
An uncollected restart from the visitors allowed Wrampling to score his second in a game of breakneck speed.
A shift wide to Muirhead proved fruitful for the Brumbies once again, who were then within five points of the Chiefs again.
However, it wasn’t to be for the Brumbies, however, as Leinert-Brown crossed for a double in the shadows of full time. The win ensured the Chiefs remained unbeaten at the top of the table.
For the Brumbies, a record of 1-2 will looked to be improved upon next week in Auckland. It doesn’t get any easier for our men, who take on the defending champions on their home turf.
The match was symbolic of the thrilling start to the Super Rugby Pacific season, though that will offer little consolation for the men from the Capital.
The Chiefs 49 v 34 Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies
Tries: Frost, Meredith, Toole, Muirhead 2, L. Lonergan
Cons: Debreczeni 2
Starting XV
- James Slipper
- Billy Pollard
- Allan Alaalatoa
- Nick Frost
- Cadeyrn Neville
- Rory Scott
- Luke Reimer
- Charlie Cale
- Ryan Lonergan
- Declan Meredith
- Corey Toole
- Ollie Sapsford
- Len Ikitau
- Andy Muirhead
- Tom Wright
Finishers:
- Lachlan Lonergan
- Blake Schoupp
- Rhys van Nek
- Lachlan Shaw
- Judah Saumaisue
- Harrison Goddard
- Jack Debreczeni
- Hudson Creighton
