The Brumbies got back to their trademark winning ways with a gritty victory over an improving Fijian Drua side, taking the match 33-12 and securing the bonus-point try in the 81st minute at Suncorp Stadium.
After a disappointing performance against the Reds in Queensland the week before, where the forward pack in particular was dominated and out enthused by a hungry Reds outfit, the Brumbies found their groove in an impressive display on Saturday night.
Following their first loss of the season against the Reds last week, Dan McKellar looked to utilise the impressive depth of the Brumbies squad to provide rotation and rest to his squad before facing off in crucial clashes against the Highlanders and Hurricanes in the coming weeks.
The Brumbies’ rotation included the exclusion of captain Allan Alaalatoa, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Folau Fainga’a, Lachie Lonergan and other injuries of Tom Banks, Jesse Mogg, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Noah Lolesio and Cadeyrn Neville.
Making way for 11-time Chiefs prop Sefo Kautai, several players including Tom Hooper, Billy Pollard, 34-time Scarlets backrower Ed Kennedy, Rod Iona, Ollie Sapsford, Cam Clarke and Connal McInerney have had increased game time.
Despite this overhaul of players, the Brumbies continued to look dominate and in control throughout the match in facing a dangerous Fijian outfit.
In the opening five minutes of the fixture, a terrific set backline play with Len Ikitau running the decoy which attracted three defenders, enabled Rod Iona to put Tom Wright through for a try unmarked in the corner.
If needed, Andy Muirhead was also unmarked to the left of the fullback and Cam Clarke also likely would of scored if Iona had opted to feed a short ball off the shoulder to him.
Again in the 18th minute, a set play off the lineout with Billy Pollard charging close to the line, unlocked the backline with Andy Muirhead throwing a terrific cut-out pass to Cam Clarke for his second try in the last two matches.
The speed and swiftness of the Brumbies backline, even without key players such as Lolesio, Mogg and Banks, is a positive sign for the team’s chances against Kiwi teams that have plenty of points in them.
With both Banks and Lolesio expected back for the crucial clash against the Highlanders after the bye, positive signs are showing for the Brumbies.
The Brumbies’ maul was also used effectively, with two tries coming from dominant mauls close to the Drua line.
In the 45th minute, Darcy Swain won the ball in the air and a dominant Brumbies’ maul from 10 metres out peeled around to give Billy Pollard his first Super Rugby try in only his third appearance.
The maul expertise from assistant coach Laurie Fisher and the Brumbies locks Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville and Tom Hooper will be vital to the Brumbies’ success coming into the business end of the season.
This is seen again in 60th minute, with Nick Frost winning the lineout in the air, and with a strong eight-man maul Wallaby Connal McInerney crashed over to further extend the Brumbies’ lead.
In the 81st Minute, a turnover from the Brumbies led to McInerney linking with fullback Tom Wright, across to Rod Iona, and then to Hudson Creighton who put on a sharp right-footed step, and then threw a pass to Wright who went under the posts for the bonus point try.
If the Brumbies are able to continue this potency in attack both in the backs and in the forwards, and with the addition of returning stars Banks, Lolesio, Mogg and Feauai-Sautia, they could potentially beat some Kiwi teams and secure a home quarter-final.