Brumbies in record rout over Reds
The Brumbies made an impressive start to their 2015 Super Rugby campaign, beating a hapless Reds team 47-3 in Canberra on Friday.
In a game that also saw former Wallaby captain James Horwill red-carded – the result of two yellow cards for repeated infringements – the Brumbies outscored the Reds by six tries to none.
The Brumbies, champions in 2001 and 2004, were too well drilled and organised for the ragged Reds.
The Canberra-based side gave promise of things to come with an impressive performance, with former Wallabies skipper David Pocock coming through the 80 minutes unscathed after two seasons blighted by knee reconstructions.
The 44-point winning margin eclipsed the Brumbies' 51-8 victory over the Reds in Canberra in 2004 for their ninth straight win at home.
The Brumbies, who led 21-3 at half-time, launched their season with a bonus-point win with tries to Robbie Coleman, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Tevita Kuridrani and James Dargaville.
Christian Lealiifano kicked 17 points from four conversions and three penalties.
Queensland's only points came from a 34th-minute penalty from their new signing and former Rugby League international Karmichael Hunt, who played at flyhalf for the sidelined Quade Cooper.
"It was a really great way to start the year and I am really proud of the effort out there tonight," skipper Pocock said.
"To keep that sort of Reds side try-less was the biggest thing that we can take out of the game.
"I thought halves Nic White and Matt Toomua controlled the game really well."
Brumbies hooker and Wallaby skipper Stephen Moore came off the bench for the last 30 minutes as he works his way back to full fitness from a serious knee injury last season.
The Reds didn't help their cause by conceding 17 penalties, culminating in Horwill receiving his second yellow card four minutes from time for repeated infringements.
"It's obviously not the way we wanted to start the season but these are the cards we're dealt and it's pretty disappointing," Reds skipper James Slipper said.
"Ill discipline really hurt us and it was something we had spoken about before the game and once again we start off the year with a lot of penalties and you can't win games with that sort of discipline."
The Brumbies cross the Tasman to face the Chiefs next week, while the Reds are at home to Western Force.
Man of the match: There were no Reds worthy of even considering, although former Wallaby captain James Horwill did his best to be a villain. David Pocock came through the match after two knee reconstructions and even though he paused a couple of times, showed some good form. Sam Carter, Scott Sio and Tevita Kuridrani also impressed. However, our vote goes to Matt Toomua – who was central to the hammering the Reds received.
The scorers:
For the Brumbies:
Tries: Coleman, Tomane, Toomua, White, Kuridrani, Dargaville
Cons: Lealiifano 4
Pens: Lealiifano 3
For the Reds:
Pen: Hunt
Yellow cards: James Horwill (Reds, 47 and 76 – repeated infringements, killing the ball)
Red card: James Horwill (Reds, 76 – two yellow cards)
Teams:
Brumbies: 15 Robbie Coleman, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 David Pocock (captain), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Ita Vaea, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Lausii Taliauli.
Reds: 15 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Karmichael Hunt, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Curtis Browning, 5 Marco Kotze, 4 James Horwill, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Sef Faagase, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Duncan Paia'aua, 23 Campbell Magnay.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)
TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)
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