VIDEO: Brumbies go top with Sunwolves rout
SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies moved to the top of the Super Rugby standings, at least for a few hours, after a seven-try rout of the Sunwolves in Wollongong on Friday.
The Brumbies, in what was effectively an away match after a roster reshuffle over the fears of coronavirus, were always in control and eased clear to a 47-14 win.
The Brumbies, in what was effectively an away match after a roster reshuffle over the fears of coronavirus, were always in control and eased clear to a 47-14 win.
It is the Brumbies’ first bonus-point victory of the season.
The match was played in the unusual time slot of Friday afternoon, after coronavirus concerns saw the game relocated from Japan to Wollongong.
The Brumbies were in control for most of the contest and halfback Ryan Lonergan’s 55 minutes were superb in his first Super Rugby start.
Rookie flyhalf Noah Lolesio continued his stellar season in the seven-try romp as the Brumbies moved to four wins and one loss after six rounds.
Lonergan scored and converted the opening try before flankers Will Miller and Rob Valetini crossed for tries in the opening 40 minutes.
Sunwolves hooker Efi Maafu scored his first Super Rugby try from a strong rolling maul in the 35th minute to keep his side in the hunt at 21-7 at half-time.
The Sunwolves’ set-piece was solid all afternoon but the Brumbies piled on four second-half tries through Toni Pulu, Tevita Kuridrani, Solomone Kata and Joe Powell.
The finishing efforts from wingers Pulu and Kata were particularly impressive as both touched down in the corner with just millimetres to spare.
The Sunwolves scored a consolation try in the 72nd minute through lock Mike Stolberg but still have just one win from their opening five games this season.
Lonergan nailed all five of his conversions, including three from the sideline in a performance that puts all sorts of pressure on incumbent Powell who scored in the final minute.
Man of the match: Some good metres by Solomone Kata and Tevita Kuridrani for the Brumbies, while Flank Will Miller and hooker Connal McInerney were among the most productive forwards – their tackle counts went well into double figures. Our award goes to Brumbies flank Rob Valetini. Not a bad day at the office when your metres carried is higher than most backs, you racked up respectable numbers on defence, won a couple of turnovers and scored a try.
The scorers
For the Sunwolves:
Tries: Maafu, Stolberg
Cons: April, Ogura
For the Brumbies:
Tries: Lonergan, Miller, Valetini, Pulu, Kuridrani, Kata, Powell
Cons: Lonergan 5, Pasitoa
Teams:
Sunwolves: 15 Yoshizumi Takeda, 14 Johannes Engelbrecht, 13 Siosaia Fifita, 12 Ben Te’o, 11 Tautalatasi Tasi, 10 Garth April, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Jake Schatz (captain), 7 Shunsuke Nunomaki, 6 Justin Downey, 5 Michael Stolberg, 4 Kotaro Yatabe, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Efitusi Maafu, 1 Nic Mayhew.
Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Jarred Adams, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Ben Hyne, 20 Tevita Tupou, 21 Naoto Saito, 22 Jumpei Ogura, 23 Keisuke Moriya.
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Will Miller, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Murray Douglas, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Connal McInerney, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 James Slipper, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Tom Cusack, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tom Wright.
Referee: Federico Anselmi
Assistant referees: Amy Perrett, Aaron Pook
TMO: Ian Smith
