Brumbies beat Reds at Ballymore

Fri, Feb 12, 2016, 11:30 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman

The Brumbies took a convincing 31-18 win over the Queensland Reds at Ballymore to finish their pre-season preparations on a high.

After a nail-biting loss in their opening pre-season clash, the Brumbies took a stronger squad to Queensland and the additions made an impact almost immediately.

The Reds got the early lead with Jake McIntyre slotting a penalty in the sixth minute, but from there the game went very much the Brumbies’ way.

Brumbies co-captain Stephen Moore finished off a trademark Brumbies rolling maul two minutes later, putting the visitors 7-3 up after a successful conversion.

 McIntyre slotted another penalty in the 18th minute but bullocking number eight Ita Vaea stretched the Brumbies lead to 12-6 just one minute later.

Eto Nabuli showed some promise on the win for the Reds, flashing his pace early in the game before a last gasp try gave Queensland something to celebrate.

Argentinian Tomas Cubelli nabbed his first try for the Brumbies in the 30th minute, with the Argentinian scrumhalf, after pulling off a dummy pass deep in attacking territory.

Tevita Kuridrani didn’t take long to get the Brumbies off the mark in the second half, scoring in the 43rd minute to stretch the lead to 24-6.

A yellow card to David Pocock In the 48th minute stemmed the Brumbies’ momentum, after repeated infringements from the superstar openside, in his first match since last year’s World Cup.

Reds halfback Nick Frisby took advantage of the opportunity, scoring the Reds’ first try of the match in the 53rd minute, narrowing the deficit to 15 points.

Brumbies Robbie Abel sealed the Brumbies’ victory with a try in the 68th minute, coming off another rolling maul.

New Reds fullback Ayumu Goromaru made a serviceable cameo in his first outing for Queensland, playing the last 11 minutes of the match, converting their final try on the bell.

The Reds had some injury headaches as well, with star flanker Liam Gill going off in the 18th minute with a suspected shoulder injury.

Emerging backrower Lolo Fakosilea exited the game with a knee injury, though the severity is as yet unclear.

Both sides have played just the two pre-season trial matches and will now switch their focus to the opening round of Super Rugby, kicking off on February 26.

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