Giteau the back-line general leads Brumbies to 21-7 break on Hurricanes - but then Ki

[travelling_gerry]

February 11, 2011
Brumbies 21 Hurricanes 21


The Brumbies' Matt Giteau is tackled by Tyson Keats of the Hurricanes. Photo: Graham Tidy
A CONVERTED try after the siren has ensured the Hurricanes escaped with a 21-all draw against the Brumbies in their final pre-season Super Rugby trial last night.

After sustained pressure on the Brumbies line for the final five minutes, Hurricanes winger Julian Savea crossed for the try, with five-eighth Aaron Cruden converting to draw the sides level at Viking Park.

But a draw for the Brumbies was a big improvement following a 38-5 drubbing to the Queensland Reds in Darwin six days earlier.

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First try-scorer ... Mitchell Chapman eyes the visitors’ line. Photo: Graham Tidy
Wallabies veteran Matt Giteau led the Brumbies for the first time, directing the back line for the 46 minutes he was on the field.

Mitchell Chapman opened the account for the home side, the blindside flanker charging on to a pass to score to the right of the posts in the second minute.

Giteau converted for a 7-0 lead.

Despite the Brumbies' territorial advantage, the visitors were next on the board. After five phases, the Hurricanes spun the ball right before an inside ball found flanker Victor Vito, who posted his team's first try in the 15th minute. Two converted tries in seven minutes then stretched the home side's lead to 21-7.

Both were from close charges at the line, with halfback Josh Valentine passing to hooker Stephen Moore from eight metres in the 23rd minute.

No.8 Ita Vaea increased the lead after picking the ball up from the back of the scrum to drive over.

With two minutes left of the first half, the Hurricanes moved the ball left from a scrum 40 metres out where Conrad Smith offloaded to All Blacks centre partner Ma'a Nonu for the five pointer. Cruden added the extras for a 21-14 score at half-time.

Pre-season handling let both teams down throughout, and this will be a factor for the coaches before the start of the Super season next weekend. The Brumbies begin their season at home against the Chiefs on Saturday.

The Brumbies intend to make it a season to remember. They have set their sights on revisiting their golden era in the expanded Super Rugby competition with a renewed emphasis on attacking, running rugby.

Australia's sole winners of the southern hemisphere's provincial competition – in 2001 and 2004 – are determined to end a six-season absence from the finals.

"We're aiming to be the No.1 Australian side but there are four other sides wanting to do that too," Brumbies coach Andy Friend said. "That is definitely our ambition, our goal is to be there when the finals come around."

Friend said last year's change in the interpretation at the breakdown to favour the attacking side was a positive step, to which his team would better adapt this year.

BRUMBIES 21 (Mitchell Chapman, Ita Vaea, Stephen Moore tries, Matt Giteau 3 cons) drew with HURRICANES 21 (Victor Vito, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea tries, Aaron Cruden 3 cons) at Viking Park, Canberra. Referee: Stuart Dickinson.


http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/su...210-1aos6.html

[GIGS20]

Sounds to me like the back line general didn't figure in any score which didn't involve a kicking tee.

Not that I'm surprised mind......look for Benny A to lead the try scoring list again this year by the looks of it.

[CunnamullaFulla]

.........ran sideways all night cramping his outer backs and pushing his wingers into the sideline before throwing a flat pass to someone stationary who was expecting him to run the move he'd called............

Nothing new under the sun