Brumbies continue unbeaten run with thrilling win over Reds
The Brumbies have continued their unblemished start to the Super Rugby Pacific season with a 23-17 win against the Queensland Reds.
They looked in cruise control in skipping to a 13-0 lead after half an hour, but the Reds dug in with a far more competitive second half although they never hit the lead at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.
Queensland had chances to win the game, twice held up over the Brumbies' line in the final 20 minutes as the hosts again leaned on their defence for victory.
The Brumbies are now one of just two undefeated teams after three rounds, joining the Chiefs at 3-0 as they quickly assert themselves as one of the league's top sides.
Battling rivals in Wallabies' auditions, things could hardly have gone better for Brumbies duo Nic White and Noah Lolesio who patrolled proceedings with class in steering their side to victory.
Veteran White was in top form with his craftiness on full display, even nipping over for the first try of the night when left too much room by Reds foe Tate McDermott to cap a near-five minute spell of territory and possession.
Fullback Tom Wright also produced another stellar display in a battle of Wallabies No.15 options, but Queensland's Jordan Petaiai made his mark on the contest too with a stylish double.
Wright was dominant and found 106m running in the first half alone, but Petaia came out of the sheds breathing fire with a surging run and an exquisite catch for a try in the corner on 53 minutes.
Petaia's try followed another from a powerful run by forward Harry Wilson, although the Brumbies quickly reclaimed a 23-12 buffer after hooker Lachie Lonergan snuck over on the back of dominant forward presence.
The Reds' No.15 got over again to get them within six points in the final 10 minutes and the Brumbies blew two chances to put the matter beyond doubt, a Lolesio try called back for knock-on before he narrowly missed a penalty goal.
Queensland five-eighth James O'Connor changed the game after entering off the bench, looking the most creative player on the field and his side's most lethal threat as they unsuccessfully chased the game late.
Looking to match it with their rival's intensity, the Reds controlled the game's first 15 minutes both via territory and possession, yet found themselves trailing after the Brumbies' powerful pack forced an early penalty.
It was a vital early blow the visitors didn't need, the Brumbies quickly pinching their handy break after their forwards found their feet via White's crafty scoot.
Latest Comments
I think we need to get innovative with the new laws.
Now red cards are only 20 minutes, Razor should send Finau on a head hunting mission to hospitalise their 10 with a shoulder to the chops.
Give the conspiracy theorists a win.
England played well enough to win but couldnt score when they needed to and couldnt defend a couple of X-Factor moments from Telea which was ultimately the difference. They needed to hold the ball more and make the AB's make more tackles. Territorially they were good for the first 60. Defending their lead and playing pragmatic rugby in the last 20 was silly. The AB's always had the potential to come back. England still have a long way to go, definite progress would have been shown had they won but it seems they are still stuck where they were shortly after the six nations and their tour to NZ
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