Moore blunt after Brumbies loss

Sat, Apr 2, 2016, 11:30 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Stephen Moore was frank in the wake of his side's second loss. Photo: Getty Images
Stephen Moore was frank in the wake of his side's second loss. Photo: Getty Images

Co-captain Stephen Moore was blunt in his immediate assessment of the Brumbies’ loss to the Chiefs on Saturday night.

After being within striking distance at the 60-minute mark, the Brumbies conceded three tries and 19 points, while only scoring one penalty goal of their own against the ladder leaders.

In what was one of the biggest scores conceded at Canberra Stadium by any Brumbies team and their first home loss to the Chiefs since 2008, Moore said the result simply wasn’t good enough.

“We knew before the game the last 20-30 minutes was going to be really important and they ran away with the game there,” he said.

“So that’s not good enough.”

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was pleased with his side’s effort but pointed out a number of areas in which to improve as the season rolls on.

“It’s never about the result, it’s about the effort the boys put out there,” he said.

“There was plenty of effort but there’s obviously areas to work on.

“Defensively, around the halfway on the field I think was an area where we got found out.

“Our defence on our line, our effort on our line was superb and that’s been the hallmark of this team for a number of years.”

Larkham lamented the inaccuracy of the Brumbies when they attempted to exit their halves, with some poor kicking from the Canberra side on Saturday night.

The loss to the Chiefs ends the Brumbies’ first third of Super Rugby, as they head into their first bye of the season and a much-needed break from Rugby.

Larkham said the goal of the bye would be making the playing group get away from Rugby, before reconvening on Monday week ahead of a second match up against the Waratahs.

A handful of Brumbies players will be part of this weekend’s Wallabies camp, as the June Test Series approaches.

The ACT franchise has some injury concerns heading into the week off, including fresh addition Ita Vaea (foot) though a number of those casualties could return after the bye. 

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