ACT Brumbies ended New South Wales Waratahs’ four-match winning streak with a convincing 21-11 win in their Super 14 rugby clash yesterday.
The Brumbies scored two tries to one as they first absorbed early pressure from the visiting Waratahs then turned the screw in the second half as they ran out comfortable winners.
The home side led 6-3 at half-time after the Waratahs failed to capitalise on a wealth of possession and territory over the first 40 minutes.
PHOTO: AP
It was a different story in the second period as the Brumbies overran a dispirited New South Wales and piled on 15 points before the Waratahs scored a late consolation try.
“I thought we showed a lot of character,” Brumbies coach Andy Friend told reporters.
“You could sense they were ready for a battle ... I was really proud of them,” he said.
“All credit to the Brumbies. They were very good at the breakdown and I thought that we probably got out-enthused and out-muscled there,” said Waratahs coach Chris Hickey.
“We were up for the game. Our preparation was good. Obviously the Brumbies’ preparation was very good,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Auckland Blues remain in touch with the Super 14 leaders after thrashing the bottom-placed Central Cheetahs 46-12 yesterday.
The Blues ran in six tries to two, with their talented backline regularly finding holes in the defense of the South African side at North Harbour Stadium.
If not for a large number of handling errors, the Blues could have run up an even bigger score, although they were aided by numerous missed tackles by the Cheetahs, who have yet to record their first win after five games.
The match featured the 100th appearance for the Blues by flanker Justin Collins.
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