The Plus500 Brumbies were beaten 30-7 by the Melbourne Rebels at Leichhardt Oval on Friday 7 August in a disappointing night for the previously unbeaten Super Rugby AU leaders.
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In torrid conditions, the Brumbies never got going and were outclassed by a quality Rebels outfit who were worthy winners on the night.
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Led by former Brumby Matt To’omua, the Rebels played smart rugby throughout the contest, using To’omua and playmaking partner Andrew Deegan’s kicking game to generate pressure.
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That turned to points just two minutes in with Reece Hodge diving over for the opener.
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The Brumbies responded, gaining territory inside the Rebels red-zone but a loose kick saw Marika Koroibete react quickest and though the Wallabies winger didn’t score himself, his work saw Brad Wilkin crash over for the Rebels’ second score.
Again, the Brumbies reacted well to conceding and in what was the side’s best patch of the game, Joe Powell was able to scoot over the line off the back of a prototypical Brumbies maul, Bayley Kuenzle’s conversion matching his halfback’s effort.
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Hodge would restore the Rebels’ cushion however, just five minutes later off a beautifully measured kick from To’omua.
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The Rebels then added a penalty goal before Jordan Uelese got Melbourne’s fourth just before halftime.
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To’omua added another three points just after the break, and although there was plenty of effort from the Canberra side, handling errors meant the Brumbies just couldn’t get anything going.
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In the 79th minute, Will Miller managed to crash over for the Brumbies’ second of the night, but it was the Rebels’ night; the final-score 30-12.Â
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The Brumbies now have the bye in round seven before returning to action on Saturday 22 August against the NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium Canberra.
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Plus500 Brumbies 12 (T: Joe Powell, Will Miller; C: Bayley Kuenzle def by Melbourne Rebels 30 (T: Reece Hodge 2, Brad Wilkin, Jordan Uelese; C: Matt To’omua 2; P: To’omua)Â
