Brumbies break Hurricanes four-match winning streak – Rugby news
Brumbies finally have won a game against Hurricanes at Canberra, something they have not able to achieve in past five years.
Hurricanes prior to today’s contest were coming from Four Consecutive wins against the hosts. Today’s victory over the Hurricanes is just the second win for the former super rugby champions in their seven matches in Super XV.
Brumbies now are placed at 10th spot in the combined table standings with 17 points and with few games left for them in the season their place in the play offs cannot be overturned easily. Particularly as they have, the quality players and most importantly
have the experience to perform in the crunch games.
Brumbies who were without their star player and captain Rocky Elsom have struggled in the Super XV so far as the win today have kept their hopes alive.
However, for Hurricanes their chances for reaching the play off has dented badly with this lose and it is close to impossible from here to reach the play offs. Match as the final scorecard showed was closely contested as predicted; there was a minor difference
between the both teams as they both have failed to deliver good results in their earlier Super XV appearances.
However, ACT Brumbies have played the best rugby among the two as they overcome the deficit twice eventually taking the lead and securing their second win. With over 12,000 people present at Canberra Stadium to watch the live action, Hurricanes started the
game and remained in total control of the game looked favourite to win the game almost until the end of the first half.
The crowd was silenced when Hurricanes new fly half Aaron Cruden scored a try followed by conversion during the 3rd and 4th minute of the game to take the score to 7 – 0. Passage of 20 minutes following to Cruden Try’s, both teams fought hard to gain territory
and enjoy more ball possession until the Brumbies were able to penetrate into the Hurricanes half and forced a mistake that gave them with a penalty.
For Brumbies their Fly Half Matt Giteau who had a poor game against the Highlanders as he missed several scoring opportunities. However, this time Giteau was spot on as he scored his first penalty of the match in the 25th minute. Three minutes later Matt
Giteau was again on target landing his second penalty of the game to take the score to 7 – 6 favouring Hurricanes.
Hurricanes again extended their lead as Aaron Cruden successfully kicked his first penalty of the game in the 37th minute. However, the real attraction of the first half came from the Brumbies Winger Henry Speight who scored a magnificent try minute before
the first half to put Brumbies into the lead for the first time in the match.
Hurricanes were tighter in their defence in the second half and slowly started to control the game as they made frequents visits into the Brumbies half. Hurricanes with their substituted fly half Daniel Kirkpatrick scored two consecutive penalties in the
50th and 53rd minute to extend the lead for the Hurricanes.
Hurricanes however were again forced to make mistakes with Matt Giteau capitalising on the awarded penalties to score the penalties during 58th and 63rdminute of the game to take the scorecard to 17 – 16.
Hurricanes later ringed quiet few substitutes in order to take the lead but in the process broke their momentum. While they failed to score, they also denied Brumbies from doing so and courtesy of Giteau’s 63rd minute penalty Brumbies complete
the game as the winners of the contest.
Out of the total 33 points scored in the match, 21 points came through the penalties again emphasizing the importance the penalties have gained in this year Super XV. Brumbies now will host the Western Force and would be eyeing on victory to improve their
standings in both Australian Conference and in the combined table.
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