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A try in the final minute gave the Chiefs a win on home soil against the Brumbies on Friday night.
Played under the picturesque Mt Maunganui on the doorstop of New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, the Brumbies had enough chances to claim a win over the pace-setting Chiefs, but couldn’t overcome a stack of handling errors and some rock-solid defence.
Christian Lealiifano was brilliant for a second week in a row, knocking over six from seven and commanding play around the park. He found himself in similar circumstances to last weekend against the Cheetahs, slotting a conversion to level the scores with just minutes to go.
But the Chiefs managed to rally and grab a last minute try in the corner thanks to centre Jackson Willison, to claim their third win for 2012.
Captain Ben Mowen said he was pleased with the performance, but urged his side to improve when it faces the unbeaten Highlanders in eight days time at Canberra Stadium.
“We feel like we are building something here with this team, that was a tough game and a disappointing way to finish but the talent and commitment is there,” Mowen said.
“There were parts of the game we can take away and be happy with, our forwards were able to get a lot of go-forward and our backs contained their big names nicely.
“But it’s not going to be enough against the Highlanders. We need to head back to Canberra and work hard this week.
“The Chiefs are a good team. They’ll beat plenty of teams this year, but I don’t want us to be happy with coming close.”
In the tightest of arm-wrestles, Cruden and Lealiifano traded penalties for the entire first half with neither team able to take the ascendancy.
The Chiefs star-studded backline of Sonny-Bill Williams, Richard Kahui and Aaron Cruden were nicely contained with the young University of Canberra Brumbies showing patches of their own brilliance, both in defence and attack.
A big hit from Joe Tomane put the Chiefs on the back foot, while Jesse Mogg continued his eye-catching form with some probing runs through Chiefs territory.
While Mogg’s kick-return was again outstanding, many of his best chances were created by Lealiifano, who has stood out as one of the best Australian playmakers at this point of the competition.
Going into the sheds at 9-all, neither side looked likely to run away with a big lead at half time prompting the coaches to keep the glut of the first-half teams on the field.
The second half opened with a try to the Chiefs through big bopper Sona Taumalolo, who barged his way over from close range to give his side the lead. Cruden had a cracking night with the boot landing seven from as many attempts. This one, from right in front, gave the Chiefs a seven-point buffer, but it wasn’t enough to make the University of Canberra Brumbies shut up shop.
Just minutes later the pressure was being applied to the Chiefs line, with Sam Carter eventually finding his way over for a controversial five-pointer.
The TMO took some time to make his decision, keeping University of Canberra Brumbies fans on the edge of their seats. When he finally gave the try, it was up to Lealiifano to calmly take the shot and get his team back in the game.
The final five minutes proved crucial for the Chiefs, with the University of Canberra Brumbies relieving the pressure on the back of unforced errors to give the home side quality field position and time to attack.
Eventually it was Willison who grabbed the five-pointer and with Cruden continuing his sharp goal-kicking, the Chiefs held out to win, 29-22.
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
The problem with the Brumbies loosing is them just getting better Jake White's brain will work overtime on this disappointment and will not let them make the same mistakes in the future.
Last edited by theforceguy; 16-03-12 at 20:29.
Can we have a coach like that one day?
as much as i enjoy watching Muddy whinge after the Brumbies lose..
I cant help but be impressed by the way the young blokes in Canberra are pulling together and improving.
TOCC... the new RED is Brumby watch this space... the boys did very well pushing the current NZ team to the least minutes... Its a shame they didn't get 2 points... However it would have done a world of good for the Brumbies confidence to know they can run with he best in the comp away from home.... well done boys...
A TRY on fulltime by Chiefs outside centre Jackson Willison denied the Brumbies one of the biggest upsets of the Super Rugby season so far at Bay Park in Tauraunga last night.
Last week it was the Brumbies who got away with a win against the Cheetahs on the fulltime siren.
Last night, the score was locked at 22-all after replacement Brumbies secondrower Sam Carter crashed over for a converted try with four minutes to go.
The Chiefs regained the ball from a steal at the breakdown and worked their way towards the Brumbies' line. Five-eighth Aaron Cruden found Willison with a cut-out pass and he slid across the line for the match-winning try.
The Chiefs entered the game as overwhelming favourites but the Brumbies earned a lot of respect in their first loss of the season.
"It was disappointing but some of the stuff we did in the game, our carry and our defence, was what we were chasing," Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said.
The Kiwi side outscored the Brumbies two tries to one and Cruden landed seven goals from seven attempts. The score was locked at 9-all at halftime with rival five-eighths Christian Lealiifano and Cruden kicking three penalty goals each.
Brumbies blindside flanker Scott Fardy, who did not return for the second half, came close to scoring a try in the 28th minute, but lost the ball forward on the line after beating three defenders. The penalty shoot-out continued in the second half with Lealiifano and Cruden trading goals until the scores were levelled again at 15-all with 16 minutes to go.
Chiefs number eight Liam Messam was held up over line in the 65th minute, but he was involved in prop Arizona Taumalolo scoring the first try of the game a few minutes later following a five-metre scrum win.
Messam drove towards the Brumbies' line, stopped just a metre out. Taumalolo then picked up the ball and crashed over. Cruden converted to give the Chiefs a 22-15 lead. The Brumbies struck back with a try to Carter in the 74th minute, crashing over from close range.
Lealiifano converted to tie up the score at 22-all with four minutes left.
Chiefs 29
Brumbies 22
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spor...-1226302109803
boohoo