Chiefs put Brumbies to the sword as Nanai-Seturo shines
The Chiefs have given the ACT Brumbies a harsh reality check with a thumping 46-12 victory in rugby's Super Round clash in Melbourne.
Widely-rated as Australia's best hope, the Brumbies were outplayed across the park by the Chiefs, who scored six tries in a statement win at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Losing last year's final to the Crusaders after only dropping one game through the season, the Chiefs look intent on making amends in an unbeaten start to the year.
Electric winger Corey Toole crossed twice for the Brumbies to continue his red-hot start to the season.
His first try in the 11th minute was particularly impressive, with Toole chipping ahead and weaving through heavy traffic as he regathered to touch down.
But it was an otherwise one-sided affair in the first half, with the New Zealand side surging ahead for a 25-7 lead with the spoils shared between halfback Xavier Roe, winger Etene Nanai-Seturo and Damien McKenzie.
All Blacks playmaker McKenzie caused constant headaches for the Brumbies while the Canberra men were out-muscled at the breakdown and the set-piece.
The second half delivered much of the same despite Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham ringing the changes as he emptied his bench.
Toole showed his speed and acceleration to score in the corner but it was quickly answered by replacement Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima, who crossed twice in six minutes.
In the only sour note for the Chiefs, Jared Proffit was given a red card late in the match for an ugly head clash which left Brumbies lock Caderyn Neville in the blood-bin.
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Late growth spurts are a common problem over here. I’m well over 30, and I just started having a growth spurt too. Could be a world class prop soon.
Go to commentsas much as the challenge cup is a bit of a nothing competition, winning it would still mean something. last year it was won by toulon, who are now something like 4th in the top 14? The year before it was won by Lyon a season before they finished 3rd in the league. The year before that the final was contested by Montpellier and Leicester - 12 months before they both became domestic champions. That should give Gloucester fans some hope.
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