Brumbies defeat the Waratahs 27-20

Sat, Mar 5, 2022, 11:50 AM
Waratahs Media
by Waratahs Media

The Waratahs have shown plenty of fight and resilience going down 27-20 against the Brumbies in slippery conditions in Canberra.

Already missing Geoff Cridge and Lachlan Swinton through injury, Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman was forced to re-jig his starting side late in the week, with Jeremy Williams ruled out with a groin injury.

These losses were further compounded when winger James Turner was injured in the warmup adding more disruption with Tevita Funa drafted in the starting team and Jamie Roberts to the bench.

The Brumbies dominated the opening exchanges and took advantage of the Waratahs’ ill-discipline, getting deep in the Waratahs half through piggyback penalties.

Rob Valetini grabbed the opening points of the match through a pick and drive from close range, while Noah Lolesio added the conversion and a penalty to extend it to a 10-0 lead.

The Waratahs eventually started to gain a foothold in the match through some strong running from Izaia Perese, Angus Bell, and Charlie Gamble while Ben Donaldson allowed the Waratahs to get into the game, chipping away at the Brumbies’ lead through two penalty goals.

The Brumbies closed out the half with a try to Nick Frost who finished off a linebreak from Rob Valetini for a 17-6 lead at the break.

The Brumbies raced out of the blocks in the second half with Rob Valetini was again the danger man with a strong run and offload setting up Irae Simone to score and extend the Brumbies lead to 24-6

Ben Donaldson started the fightback for the Waratahs laying on two tries to close the gap to a one-score game.

The Waratahs flyhalf skipped through a couple of Brumbies forwards in the middle and offloaded to Angus Bell to dive over untouched while making another trademark break late in the match to set up the grandstand finish, allowing Will Harris to score his third try in three matches.

The Waratahs desperately tried to force the draw and threw everything at the Brumbies after the siren, but the Brumbies’ defence held strong.

The Waratahs now turn their attention to their Round 4 clash against the Western Force next Sunday at Leichhardt Oval.

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Brumbies 27 (Tries: Valetini, Frost, Simone Conversions: Lolesio 3 Penalties: Lolesio 2) def. Waratahs 20 (Tries: Harris, Bell Conversions: Donaldson 2 Penalties: Donaldson 2) at GIO Stadium.

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Folau Fainga'a, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Tom Banks

RESERVES: Billy Pollard, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Ed Kennedy, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Jesse Mogg

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Max Douglas, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Will Harris, Jake Gordon (c), Ben Donaldson, Tevita Funa, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Dylan Pietsch, Alex Newsome

RESERVES: Tom Horton, Tetetra Faulkner, Ruan Smith, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, Jamie Roberts

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