Brumbies take a good start, thrash Chiefs 28-20
The most anticipated Super 15 match took place today, when Brumbies clashed with Chiefs. Brumbies thrashed Chiefs with a 28-20 victory in their opening match and gave a good start to most awaited tournament in southern hemisphere.
It’s a tough take for Chiefs though, who fought hard but had to face the music of showing effortlessness in the first half in Canberra. Mils Muiliaina and Nanai Williams are the ones to blame who missed a few golden chances in the starting interval of the
match.
It was an away match for Chiefs and if the blunders were avoided, it would have been a kick start for them in this year’s most watch rugby league season. Not only the misses cost them, but those two fumbles near the try line weren’t left unpunished. Leila
Masaga scored a late try, but couldn’t them a bonus point and it also deprived Nanai Williams from his moment of pride.
On the contrary, Brumbies didn’t give anything away and proved to be a better side from the very first minute of the game. Brumbies didn’t let go any fumble or gap away and kept pushing Chiefs to the back foot. Visitors struggled for possession in the starting
phase and were let down every time they made even a feeble try.
Matt Giteau, who will be departing his team soon, was captaining Brumbies and proved his point. Giteau earlier stated that he wants to leave the club with good memories and victorious record; this match proved to add to his goodwill to Brumbies. His men
from Canberra took control of the game from the very early stages and were into an 18-0 lead in a very short period of time.
Robbie Coleman was the first one from Brumbies to score a try and dodged the Chiefs’ defense including Tana Umaga, who was the most experienced player in the team. The youngster gave out his best to score that try, even though he collected the ball from
the wrong foot.
Chief’s troubles were increasing as the Brumbies were growing in confidence and strength. The visitor’s strong backline missed the support of the forward line and had to face another try from Francis Fainifo from the left corner.
Giteau was in action throughout the field and kept the scoreboard ticking with penalties. First half was concluded on 18-3, after Stephen Donald scored a penalty for Chiefs.
Second half showed some hope for the visitors, when Sitiveni Sivivatu the All Black wing collected the ball from scrum half Tawera Kerr Barlow and went through the opponents to score a try for his side.
Brumbies lead was shortened to six points only, it was when international aid was needed for the home side. Salesi Ma’afu stepped up and pierced through the hopes of Chiefs. In 80th minute Leila Masaga score another try concluding the score to 28-20.
Robbie Coleman was given the man of the match title, who made his Super Rugby debut. Giteau gave fulfilled his responsibility by booting three penalties through the posts and converting twice. Referee Jonathan Kaplan didn’t have a bad day, as there wasn’t
much that happened on the field. Though Super Rugby means, things are unpredictable. As the tournament will grow, matches will get tougher and referees would be having on-field nightmares.
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