Brumbies smash Canes in seven-try rout
While rugby365 had predicted a Brumbies win, the margin – unfortunately – was way off.
The 42-point hammering is probably more than most Brumbies fans would have dreamt of.
For the Brumbies skipper Stephen Moore and Argentina scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli were in great form.
The two-time winners were always in command, leading 24-3 at half-time and romping away in the second half to a bonus point win against the inept Hurricanes, who lost to the Highlanders in last season's Final.
The Brumbies looked much sharper and their fast-moving defence constantly had the Hurricanes under pressure, while their signature driving maul netted another two tries.
Flyhalf Christian Leali'ifano finished with 17 points from seven conversions and a penalty goal from nine shots at goal.
"To come out and put in a performance like that in our first game before our home fans is something we are really proud of and something to build on moving forward," Leali'ifano said.
"We are trying to create some space for the backs to free them up a bit more and be a bit more potent along with our back row."
Moore, who is returning to his home state to play with the Queensland Reds next season, was outstanding and scored a powerful try off a rolling maul, while Cubelli caught the eye with his first match for the Brumbies with his passing and running with the ball.
The Brumbies, who were criticised for their unadventurous attack last season, looked inventive and scored a smart try to David Pocock off a quick line-out throw.
It took the Hurricanes 48 minutes to score their only try of the match through centre Ngani Laumape off a slashing counter-attacking run from fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder.
"They played very well tonight. I thought they were very physical and did very well slowing down our breakdown," stand-in Hurricanes skipper TJ Perenara said.
"We need to be better, though, going forward, we need to come up with ways to play against that sort of defence. The boys learnt a lot out of this game."
Man of the match: In a shocking show not too many Hurricanes pout their hands up for this one. Argentinean Tomás Cubelli showed what a good investment he is, Christian Lealiifano was also good value. Up front David Pocock made a nuisance of himself and was probably lucky not to have been yellow-carded much earlier (he was eventually sent to the sin bin in the 77th minute. Scott Fardy and Sam Carter were also monsters, but our award goes to Brumbies captain and hooker Stephen Moore – who, playing in his 150th Super Rugby game, created a try, scored one and was a constant presence.
The scorers:
For the Brumbies:
Tries: Kuridrani, Cubelli, Pocock, Fardy, Moore, Mann-Rea, Carter
Cons: Lealiifano 7
Pen: Lealiifano
For the Hurricanes:
Try: Laumape
Con: Barrett
Pen: Barrett
Yellow cards: Matt Toomua (Brumbies, 62 – repeated infringement, killing ball at the breakdown), David Pocock (Brumbies, 77 – repeated infringements, killing the ball at the breakdown)
Teams.
Brumbies: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Allan Alaalatoa.
Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 Nigel Ah Wong.
Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Mark Abbott, 4 Blade Thomson, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Leni Apisai, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Loni Uhila, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Otere Black, 23 Willis Halaholo.
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
Agence France-Presse & @rugby365com
