VIDEO: Boilover puts Brumbies back in the race

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies ended a 20-match losing streak to New Zealand teams to put themselves back in the play-off race.

The Hurricanes were without four of their key All Blacks and paid the price, a very dear price.

Trailing 5-12 at half-time, the Brumbies were largely the better side and kept the title-chasing Hurricanes scoreless after the break – scoring three tries to secure a crucial 24-12 win.

The game got started quickly with the Hurricanes winning the ball back after the kick and forcing the Brumbies back into their red zone.

A Brumbies line-out became a quick reminder to get started as Hurricanes Thomas Perenara darted forward to intercept a long pass and draw first blood. Jordan Barrett converted to give the visitors a full seven-point lead within the first five minutes.

The Brumbies heard the message and immediately pushed forward to the Hurricanes end zone and began to probe the defence.

Moments later, the ball quickly made its way to the far side of the field where Kyle Godwin found the end of the trail and burst through to score in the corner. Christian Lealiifano couldn’t quite find the angle but the team took heart from claiming their own points.

The Hurricanes returned the pressure putting the pressure on down the right-hand side where Julian Savea found some space and despite Joe Powell’s best efforts, found the touch line and stretched their lead another five points after Barrett couldn’t replicate his earlier kick.

The Brumbies had their work cut out for them and gave it their all with Rory Arnold making a tantalising run down the middle, but a fumble from a hurried pass meant a turnover and they found themselves back on their heels soon. Despite the threatening presence of the New Zealand-based squad, the Brumbies defence held firm and repelled the visitors a number of times.

The Brumbies made a very convincing push with five minutes left in the half but after referring to the TMO, referee Nick Briant decided it was a knock on, the Hurricanes made their way up the field to end the half leading 12-5.

The Brumbies came out strong after the break and before two minutes were up, Folau Fainga’a burst through the maul to score the Brumbies 1000th try. Christian Lealiifano found his touch and converted the try to bring the score level at 12 all.

Hurricanes did their best to respond but some first-class defence from the Brumbies put the player into touch before the ball was down.

Andy Muirhead made a powerful run down the line followed by Powell’s quick thinking to kick long saw fans on their feet, but they were defeated meters from the line where they couldn’t pick it up. The Hurricanes forced their way back up the field but were held out successfully by the home side.

Another Muirhead break put the Brumbies right in front of the line only to see another hurried pass dropped in attack. Moments later, however, a penalty in the tackle gave the Brumbies the ball back and the giant Rory Arnold smashed through the defence to land the teams third try of the match. Lealiifano struggled to find the space between the posts, but the home side were now in the lead.

After the kick-off, a dangerous tackle from Blade Thompson saw the Hurricanes down to 14 men and the Brumbies surged forward. With a line-out 5 meters from the line, the boys in Blue and White tried their luck with a short throw only to lose the ball into touch.

A great kick from Henry Speight saw the ball make it back into the Hurricanes red zone and then, after winning the ball back the Brumbies started turning on the pressure on. After a set-back put the Brumbies back at the half-way line, Godwin broke the Hurricanes ranks and made an impressive kick that he then collected and slide over the line but unfortunately failed to score after losing the ball at the last second.

Muirhead took another run after receiving the ball from a fresh Matt Lucas and found his way all the way to the line only to be held up. Brumbies win a penalty and after a scrum on the 5-meter line combined with a long pass out wide, Muirhead finally gets his try and lands one in the corner. Lucas takes the kick and slots it through to give the home side a 12-point lead.

The Brumbies take home a momentous win for the team against the Hurricanes with a 24-12 win and their 1000th try in club history.

Man of the match: Hurricanes centre Ngani Laumape caused the Brumbies defence all kinds of problems. Brumbies flank David Pocock was once a gain a menace at the breakdown and centre Kyle Godwin was sublime on attack. However, the real star was Brumbies lock Rory Arnold – who made plenty of carry metres, a bucket-load of tackles, his line-out work was from the top drawer and he scored a crucial try. He wins our award.

The scorers:

For the Brumbies:
Tries: Godwin, Fainga’a, Rory Arnold, Muirhead
Cons: Lealiifano , Lucas

For the Hurricanes:
Tries: Perenara, Savea
Con: Barrett

Yellow card: Blade Thomson (Hurricanes, 55 – foul play, repeated high tackles)

* To see all the SUPER RUGBY results and standings, CLICK HERE!

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Teams:

Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Andy Muirhead, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 David Pocock, 6 Tom Cusack, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Darcy Swain, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Wharenui Hawera, 23 Lausii Taliauli.

Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Jordie Barrett, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Thomas Perenara (captain), 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Sam Henwood, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Blade Thomson, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Wes Goosen.

Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: William Houston (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)