Fainga'a hat-trick helps Brumbies maul the Blues

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Hooker Folau Fainga’a scored a hat-trick as the Brumbies edged the Blues 26-21 in a bruising encounter in Canberra on Saturday.

The win saw the Brumbies join the Rebels at the top of the Australian conference, although they have played an additional game.

While outside backs dominate the try-scoring stats, the Brumbies use their pack as a weapon and Fainga’a was the beneficiary on Saturday, carrying his season tally to 10 – two clear of his closest challengers.

The Brumbies certainly used their rolling maul to great effect throughout the game.

Apart from the three tries by Fainga’a – all coming from line-out mauls – prop James Slipper barged over for his team’s fourth try.

The Blues were heavily penalised, especially in the scrums.

And their lack of discipline resulted in both Alex Hodgman (for a late shoulder charge) and Ofa Tu’ungafasi (for repeated infringements, illegally collapsing a maul) spending 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Aware of their set piece strength, the bold Brumbies turned down countless penalty shots at goal.

Brumbies skipper Christian Lealiifano said it’s now crunch time for his men who have five games remaining to force their way into the play-offs.

“That was gutsy,” Lealiifano said.

“It was really pleasing to come back from that, we started slow but knew we had to get our game going, our forwards were massive and really stepped up and gave us a good platform.”

The Blues burst out of the blocks and scored two tries inside the opening 10 minutes – through centre Thomas Faiane and an intercept from Caleb Clarke.

A yellow card brought the Brumbies back into the game, after Blues prop Alex Hodgman was sin-binned for hitting Tom Cusack with a late shoulder charge off the ball on 18 minutes.

Fainga’a then opened his account when finishing off a trademark rumble from the ensuing penalty.

Blues flyhalf Otere Black gave the visitors a 15-5 buffer with his first successful penalty attempt.

But the Brumbies responded when Wallaby prop James Slipper pounced on a loose ball for his fortuitous bounce for his first try of the season.

The Brumbies turned down kickable penalties that could have levelled the scores at halftime and although their mauls were resisted the tactic paid off after the break as the Blues discipline wavered.

All Black prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi became the second front rower to be yellow carded, this time for repeated ruck infringements, as the Blues conceded 10 consecutive penalties.

The Brumbies soon profited from their numerical advantage when Fainga’a scored his second in the 54th minute.

Back-to-back penalty goals edged the Blues back in front 21-19, as the Brumbies lost composure.

However, Fainga’a effectively sealed the win, again from short range, with 13 minutes remaining.

The Blues had to settle for losing a bonus point, which leaves them fourth in the New Zealand conference on 21 – half the tally of the competition-leading Crusaders.

The scorers:

For the Brumbies:
Tries: Fainga’a 3, Slipper
Cons: Lealiifano 3

For the Blues:
Tries: Faiane, Clarke
Con: Black
Pens: Black, Plummer 2

Yellow cards: Alex Hodgman (Blues, 18 – foul play, late shoulder charge), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues, 50 – repeated infringements, illegally collapsing maul)

RECAP: Brumbies v Blues

Did you miss any of the action? Recap all the drama here!.

Teams:

Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Lealiifano (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Tom Cusack, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Murray Douglas, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Tom Wright, 23 Andy Muirhead.

Blues: 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Thomas Faiane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Otere Black, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson (captain), 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Gerard Cowley Tuioti, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Leni Apisai, 1 Alex Hodgman.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Levi Aumua.

Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Angus Gardner (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)