It was ugly as all hell. But it was sure effective.
The Brumbies have reinforced their position at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, defeating Moana Pasifika on a saturated afternoon across the ditch in Pukekohe.
The visitors picked up a bonus win with three second-half tries, but it their defence that really impressed, with Stephen Larkham’s men keeping Moana Pasifika scoreless.
The 24-0 win saw the Brumbies (28) keep in touch with the Crusaders (32), who beat the Blues on Friday night to move extend their lead at the top of the Super Rugby standings.
Andy Muirhead was influential in the Brumbies’ big win over Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Both sides struggled in the early stages of the game after rain had battered New Zealand over the week, but it didn’t stop the desire from either side.
But the endeavour wasn’t matched with the accuracy on the field and neither side could trouble the scoreboard early on.
With Tom Hooper in the sin bin, Moana Pasifika looked to have found some momentum and a crack when All Blacks veteran Julian Savea broke through the Brumbies’ line to put Fine Inisi away.
But the home side’s early try was rubbed out when the TMO judged Savea to have come from an offside position.
The Brumbies returned fire immediately and looked like they would cross but for a Miracle Faiilagi steal.
Ultimately, Hooper returned to the field with the deadlock still nil-all, with the Brumbies focusing on defence while the hosts attempted to target the breakdown.
The visitors were held up in the 32nd minute, while Moana Pasifika playmaker Patrick Pellegrini also missed a kick in front in the 38th minute.
The deadlock was eventually ended when Andy Muirhead put Corey Toole away with a stunning long-range try.
Looking for a hammer blow, Moana Pasifika turned down several shots at goal. But in the end they were left to rue their desire as they were turned over.
With the rain returning, the Brumbies returned to the basics and what had proven so effective a week earlier against the Reds in Brisbane.
Not long after replacement hooker Billy Pollard was over, scoring in the 54th minute.
His front-row colleagues James Slipper and Feao Fotuaika saw the visitors start to dominate the scrum.
A botched lineout in the 63rd minute was made up for three minutes later, as the Brumbies crossed again through the maul to earn the bonus point win.
A 73rd-minute second try to Corey Toole put the match beyond doubt for the visitors, and even with Tom Wright sent in the 77th minute for a cynical offence, the hosts couldn’t take advantage.
