The ACT Brumbies ground out a 24-13 victory over South Africa’s Lions in a rain-soaked Super 14 match in Canberra yesterday.
The Brumbies dominated the game but the home team’s frustrations were compounded by their inability to secure a bonus point for a fourth try despite hammering away at the Lions line for the majority of the contest.
Christian Lealiifano and Stephen Moore scored tries for the Brumbies and the team were also awarded a penalty try. Matt Giteau slotted over three conversions and a penalty.
Lions flyhalf Burton Francis kicked two penalties and converted Hannes Franklin’s second half try for the visitors as both sides struggled to cope with the wet conditions.
“A win’s a win, but we are disappointed in the last 10 minutes we couldn’t get that bonus point,” Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles said in a televised interview.
■Reds 23, Chiefs 18
REUTERS, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Queensland fullback Luke Morahan scored a match-winning try as the Reds fought back from 15 points down to beat the Waikato Chiefs in their Super 14 match in Hamilton yesterday.
The injury-ravaged Reds trailed 15-0 inside the first 20 minutes and also had winger Brando Va’aulu sin binned for a dangerous tackle but fought back to beat the heavily favored Chiefs, who had won their first three games away from home.
“You can’t win games when you’re struggling for ball and tackling like that,” Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina said in a televised interview. “It’s very disappointing to come home and lose like that, especially with the way we started.”
“Outstanding effort from the boys, just really proud. We really dug deep when we were down in the second half,” Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia said after the game.
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