Cape Town - The Brumbies showed there is still life left in Australian rugby - in a World Cup year no less - when they handed their New Zealand rivals, the Chiefs, a lesson in their Super Rugby clash in Canberra on Saturday.
As it happened: Brumbies v Chiefs
The Brumbies won 54-17 after leading 33-10 at half-time.
The Brumbies scored eight tries through centre Tevita Kuridrani (2), fullback Tom Banks, No 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, wing Chance Peni (2), hooker Folau Fainga’a and replacement rake Josh Mann-Rea. Flyhalf Christian Lealiifano was on target with five conversions, while replacement pivot Wharenui Hawera added two conversions.
The Chiefs replied with tries by wing Ataata Moeakiola and replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho. Flyhalf Damian McKenzie added both conversions and a penalty.
The Brumbies, who lost their opening clash to the Rebels last weekend, picked up a full-house of five points for their victory to take the lead in the Australian Conference and move to second in the Overall log.
The defeat was the second straight for the Chiefs who look to have a long season ahead of them after a number of key off-season departures. They left the Australian capital empty-handed and remained bottom of the New Zealand Conference and slipped to 13th in the Overall standings.
In next weekend's Round 3 action, the Brumbies travel to Wellington to face the Hurricanes (Friday, March 1 at 08:35 SA time), while the Chiefs host the Sunwolves in Hamilton (Saturday, March 2 at 08:35).
Teams:
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks,
14 Chance Peni, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Andy Muirhead,
10 Christian Lealiifano (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey,
7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan
Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Substitutes: 16
Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Blake
Enever, 20 Peter Samu, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Wharenui Hawera, 23 Tom Wright
Chiefs
15
Shaun Stevenson, 14 Ataata Moeakiola, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton
Lienert-Brown, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Te Toiroa
Tahuriorangi, 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Mitchell Brown, 5
Michael Allardice, 4 Brodie Retallick (captain), 3 Nepo Laulala, 2
Nathan Harris, 1 Aidan Ross
Substitutes: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Mitchell Karpik, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Orbyn Leger, 23 Bailyn Sullivan
