Brumbies down Rebels in warm-up

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The Brumbies beat the Rebels 52-38 in a pre-season match in Canberra on Saturday.

The game was played over three 30-minute periods, with both coaches opting to use a wide base of players and combinations.

Neither side used too many of their Wallabies, while Quade Cooper’s anticipated first match for the Rebels was delayed, as he picked up a knock in training and was rested.

A tight first period played in searing 37°C heat was drawn 12-12. A brace from centre Tevita Kuridrani gave the hosts an initial lead, but the Rebels hit back through an intercept try from Sione Tui, before prop Pone Fa’amausili crashed over.

The second period was far more end-to-end, with tries from wing Navarre Haisila and prop Sam Talakai giving the Rebels a slight 33-31 advantage after Kuridrani scored his hat-trick try.

However, the final period went firmly the way of the home side as young flyhalf Tom Wright scored his first Brumbies try, before setting up Len Ikitau. With their tails up, the Brumbies added to their lead when wing Andrew Muirhead scored from 5m out.

The Rebels would have the final say in the encounter when some pressure following a close-range maul eventually saw hooker Matthew Gibbon go over.


Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

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Dylan Jack