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Brumbies back to winning ways over Sharks

By Peter Thompson
Folau Fainga'a has

 

The Brumbies were 24-17 winners over the Sharks in their first home match of the campaign, after losing two straight matches to Australian conference opposition.

The pressure was on Dan McKellar's side to perform and will now head into the bye week 2-2 with their season hopes still intact. The Brumbies made a host of changes to the matchday team, including moving captain Christian Lealiifano to inside centre and promoting last year's starting flyhalf Wharenui Harewa into the 10 jersey.

Harewa took over the kicking duties and slotted 14 points from the tee, maintaining an 83 percent goal kicking rate on the night while Lausii Taliauli and Henry Speight dotted down in a second victory of the season for Dan McKellar's men.

The match was not pretty but the Brumbies did enough to secure the win, stretching ahead 24-10 with 8 minutes remaining. A late try to Curwin Bosch went in vain as the Sharks fell short again, having won only one of their first four fixtures.

Earlier in the match the Brumbies had the running of the play but could not capitalise on multiple opportunities, heading into the sheds 10-3 ahead.

The sides finished with two tries apiece with goal kicking being the difference.