Brumbies wallop Reds 43 - 11 in Canberra
Brumbies wallop Reds 43 - 11 in Canberra
March 02, 2008 - 12:03pm
Story by: ARU
The Baby Brumbies delivered Laurie Fisher one of the most memorable results of his coaching career with a six-try demolition of a red-faced Queensland in the Investec Super 14 round three match at Canberra Stadium.
The Reds arrived in the national capital declaring the visit as their best chance to record a Super Rugby win over the Brumbies on ACT soil. Early in the second half, with the Brumbies leading just 10-6, the Queensland dream was still alive.
But it was snuffed out as the Brumbies launched a merciless five-try second half onslaught – including three while the Reds had replacement back Peter Hynes in the sin bin from the 68th minute.
Even more impressively, the already below-strength Brumbies had to contend with the disturbing third minute loss of Wallabies fullback Julian Huxley, who was stretchered from the field after a head knock.
His untimely exit forced a backline revamp that had Mark Gerrard shifting into the No.15 duties.
By night’s end Gerrard had walked away with man of the match honours – his general play kicking and solidity at the back complementing the impressive work of the rookies across the backline in front of him.
Regular frontline stars Stirling Mortlock, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Gene Fairbanks and Clyde Rathbone were missing. But Fisher was later lauding the raw talents who stepped up again to deliver the Brumbies their second win of the season.
"It’s been a tough start to the season for us and to play like that is a wonderful credit to the players who were out there tonight," said Fisher.
"I thought (flyhalf) Christian Lealiifano was tremendous and (outside centre) Leo Afeaki made a wonderful debut. Saia Faingaa in his first Super 14 starting game and at 20 years of age, the work he did out there was terrific.
"I don’t want to single out blokes but there were some guys who were absolutely magnificent. We took a lot of confidence out of defending comprehensively in the first half and got a bit of adrenaline in the second half.
"A few things stuck for us and it paid off."
The Brumbies led 10-3 at halftime. Three minutes after the interval, Reds winger Clinton Schifcofske landed a penalty goal to reduce the margin to four.
But midway through the second half, lock Mark Chisholm stamped his authority on the game with two tries. His second came after he charged on to a cut out pass from Lealiifano and bumped aside Schifcofske.
Reserve front rower Ben Alexander grabbed a try on debut while winger Peter Playford also scored his first for the Brumbies during Hynes’ sin bin visit.
Queensland No.8 John Roe marked his 100th game for the Reds with a consolation try late in the game.
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