The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have ambushed the Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon and come away with a 27-19 win in the Super Rugby Pacific ANZAC Weekend.
In the 5th minute after choreographing plenty of attacking rugby in the Hurricanes 22, Brumbies flyhalf Noah Lolesio this time was on the receiving end of a try assist as Ryan Lonergan delivered a pass from a scrum which allowed Lolesio to dive over in the left corner. Converting his own try, the home side got out to a 7-0 lead after 6 minutes on the game clock.
Hitting back in the 12th minute, Hurricanes prop Xavier Numia managed to burrow his way low after his side got within meters of the Brumbies line, giving his Hurricanes their first try of the match.
Not deterred by the Hurricanes strike back, setting up a backline playing the home sides center Tamati Tua did all the dirty work himself after he managed to shrug off two defenders with a dummy and some brute force before dashing 30 meters to the try line.
Building momentum faster than ever, the Brumbies then made a shift to their blindside in the 18th minute, showing off some silky hands between Rob Valentini and Len Ikitau a golden opportunity was given to winger Ollie Sapsford who was given just enough space to break free and run 35 meters for the Brumbies third try.
After the game had steadied following the home sides third try, Lolesio then took an opportunity in the 26th minute for a penalty goal to extend the Brumbies lead to 24-5.
In the 30th minute however, the Hurricanes would find their way back into Brumbies territory and after some heavy possession, the wrecking ball in Numia once again burrowed under the Brumbies defenses to record their second try of the match. Converted by Brett Cameron, the Hurricanes began their attempt to close the gap on the scoreboard.
To open the second half, Lolesio continued to steady the ship as he took another chance for a penalty goal, extending the home sides lead to 27-12.
Undoing the Brumbies careful work wth penalty goals however was Jordie Barrett for the Hurricanes as the inside center found his way through to score a five pointer of his own in the 45th minute. Converted by Cameron the Hurricanes continued their chase of the Brumbies scoring total.
Following Barrett’s try both sides were locked in a stalemate as they attempted to fight for good territory. Although the Brumbies looked certain to score through Tom Hooper in the 62nd minute he was ruled just short of the try-line.
The drought points wouldn’t be broken for the remainder of the match as the Brumbies would grind out an eventual 27-19 win over the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium.
The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies 27 (Tries: Noah Lolesio, Tamati Tua, Ollie Sapsford; Conversions: Noah Lolesio 3; Penalty Goals: Noah Lolesio 2) def. Hurricanes 19 (Tries: Xavier Numia 2, Jordie Barrett; Conversions: Brett Cameron 2)
