Bonus point Brumbies power past Reds

The Brumbies will remain on top of the Australian Super Rugby Conference after they beat the Reds 43-24 with a bonus point in Canberra.

The Brumbies victory is their fourth straight victory over the Queensland side and their second consecutive win over the Reds at home.

The result provisionally moves the Brumbies into third place overall above the Stormers who play the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday.

The result also keeps the pressure on the chasing Waratahs who are now five points behind the Brumbies.

The Canberra based Brumbies outscored the Reds by six tries to three in the match after the Reds had led 0-10 in the opening quarter.

Wallabies captain Stephen Moore scored two tries for the Brumbies but Christian Leallifano scored 18 points with a try, five conversions and a penalty.

Although Leallifano was the top point scorer the victory was sparked by replacement scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli.

Cubelli was named on the replacements bench due to his late arrival in Canberra following national duty with the Pumas and scored one try and set up another to ensure the Brumbies maintained their lead at the top of the Australian conference.

The lowly Reds had fought hard to match the Brumbies and were only trailing by five points at 17-22 midway through the second half.

But Cubelli’s introduction after 60 minutes changed the game when he sliced through a gap from the base of a ruck to put Christian Leali’ifano in, before scoring himself to put the game out of reach.

“It was obviously really pleasing the way we finished,” Leali’ifano said.

“Tomas gave a little bit of spark for us — it’s nice to have someone of that calibre on the bench.

“He really sparked the game up and gave the boys some energy.”

The Reds had started the game well and went ahead 10-0 after just 10 minutes following a Henry Taefu penalty and a converted try by hooker Andrew Ready.

But the Brumbies fought their way back to level the scores in a poor quality first half, marred by a host of handling errors from both sides.

They then struck a telling blow right on halftime when Brumbies prop Ben Alexander was awarded a try despite appearing to lose control of the ball before the line.

The Reds were dealt another blow soon after the restart when a superb length-of-the-field try was disallowed after the television match official ruled that winger Eto Nabuli’s boot had just brushed the sideline in the lead up.

A possible 17-15 lead then became a 22-10 deficit when Brumbies skipper Stephen Moore scored his second try of the match, and seventh of the season, minutes later.

The Reds got back to within five points thanks to a try to replacement flyhalf Duncan Paia’aua, but Cubelli’s entry to the game changed the momentum and the Brumbies cruised to an easy victory.

“The effort was there, but that try just before halftime really hurt us,” Queensland captain James Slipper said.

“I was proud of the boys. We fought well but our discipline and their set piece probably got over us tonight.”

Next week the Brumbies travel to Auckland where they will play the Blues at Eden Park on Friday while the Reds host overall Super Rugby leaders the Chiefs in Brisbane on Saturday.

Final Score Brumbies 43 (15) Reds 24 (10)

Scorers

Brumbies
Tries – S.Moore 2, B.Alexander, C.Lealiifano, T.Cubelli, L.Taliauli
Pen – C. Lealiifano
Con – C.Leallifano 5
Drop –
Cards –

Reds
Tries – A.Ready, D. Paia’aua, T.Tupou
Pen – H.Taefu
Con – H.Taefu 2
Drop –
Cards –

Attendance : 9830

Match Officials
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant Ref 1:Rohan Hoffmann (Australia),
Assistant Ref 2:Will Houston (Australia)
TMO : George Ayoub (Australia)

Teams

Brumbies

1. Scott Sio,2. Stephen Moore (c),3. Ben Alexander,4. Rory Arnold,5. Sam Carter,6. Scott Fardy,7. Jarrad Butler,8. Ben Hyne* (Super Rugby debut),9. Joe Powell,10. Christian Lealiifano (c),11. James Dargaville,12. Matt Toomua,13. Tevita Kuridrani,14. Nigel Ah Wong,15. Aidan Toua

Replacements : 16. Josh Mann-Rea,17. Allan Alaalatoa,18. Ruan Smith,19. Blake Enever,20. Michael Wells,21. Tomas Cubelli,22. Andrew Smith,23. Lausii Taliauli

Queensland Reds

1. James Slipper (C) , 2. Andrew Ready , 3. Greg Holmes , 4. Cadeyrn Neville , 5. Lukhan Tui (run-on debut) , 6. Hendrik Tui , 7. Liam Gill , 8. Curtis Browning , 9. Nick Frisby , 10. Jake McIntyre , 11. Eto Nabuli , 12. Henry Taefu , 13. Samu Kerevi , 14. Chris Kuridrani , 15. Jack Tuttle (Queensland/Super Rugby debut)

Replacements : 16. Matt Mafi, 17. Sef Fa’agase , 18. Taniela Tupou (potential Queensland/Super Rugby debut) , 19. Kane Douglas (potential Queensland debut) , 20. Leroy Houston , 21. James Tuttle , 22. Duncan Paia’aua , 23. Campbell Magnay