The Brumbies entrenched their place at the top of the Australian conference with a bonus-point 47-14 victory over the Waratahs in Canberra on Sunday.
The result sees the Brumbies go 10 points clear at the top of their conference after they came into the game already five points clear of second-placed Rebels with a game in hand.
On the overall standings, they are level with the Crusaders and one point below the Sharks, who lead the log as the Vodacom Super Rugby season enters a break to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
With Saturday’s news that Vodacom Super Rugby will now be suspended, this was an incredibly important victory for the Brumbies, who did not seem affected by the fact that this could be the last match for the foreseeable future.
After a tight opening exchange, where the Waratahs stayed in the clash thanks to tries from Rob Simmons and impressive young wing Mark Nawaqanitawase, the Brumbies took control of the game going into the break 21-14 up as Solomone Kata scored a brace.
The second half was rather one-sided as the Brumbies continued their momentum, taking advantage of a yellow card to Jack Dempsey to score two more tries and go 35-14 up.
Late scores from Tom Wright and Tom Banks ensured that the Brumbies would take all five points from the match and keep in touch with the other conference leaders.
Brumbies – Tries: Solomone Kata (2), Cadeyrn Neville, Joe Powell, Tom Wright, Tom Banks. Conversions: Noah Lolesio (4), Matt Lucas (2).
Waratahs – Tries: Rob Simmons, Mark Nawaqanitawase. Conversions: Will Harrison (2).
Brumbies – 15 Tom Banks, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Andy Muirhead, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Will Miller, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Murray Douglas, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Connal McInerney, 1 James Slipper.
Subs: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Tom Cusack, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Tom Wright.
Waratahs – 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Alex Newsome, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Mitch Short, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons (c), 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Angus Bell.
Subs: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Tetera Faulkner, 19 Jed Holloway, 20 Pat Tafa, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 James Ramm.
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
