The ACT Brumbies contributed to the Coastal Sharks’ miserable start to the Super 14 season yesterday when they beat the South Africans 24-22 in a scrappy match in the Australian capital.
The Springbok-laden Sharks began as one of the favorites, but have now lost five in a row and languish fourth from the bottom, with only four bonus points to their name.
By contrast, the Brumbies have moved into third place with four wins from their opening five games. The Sharks lost to the NSW Waratahs in Sydney last weekend and started yesterday’s match far more committed than the home side.
Flyhalf Andy Goode kicked two early penalties to get the visitors away to a 6-0 lead, only for rival No. 10 Matt Giteau to put the Brumbies back on terms with two penalties of his own.
After absorbing all the early pressure over the opening 20 minutes, the Brumbies began to dominate, controlling the ball and the territory, and looking far more dangerous than their opponents, with backrowers Stephen Hoiles and Rocky Elsom involved in everything.
The pressure eventually told on the 30-minute mark, when front-row Ben Alexander crashed over next to the posts after the Brumbies held the ball for 13 phases. The Sharks struck back almost immediately, however, with halfback Ruan Pienaar darting over from 15m out.
Goode converted from out wide to make it 13-13, then on the stroke of halftime the former England international kicked his third penalty to send the visitors into the break leading 16-13.
The Brumbies suffered a setback at halftime when skipper Stirling Mortlock was replaced after suffering a shoulder injury.
They still struck first though, when Alexander barged over for his second try.
Giteau’s conversion hit the posts and the Sharks were back in front moments later when Goode booted his fourth penalty to make it 19-18. In a seesawing match a Giteau penalty with 20 minutes to go put the Brumbies out to a 21-19 lead, answered minutes later by Goode.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Sharks No. 8 Ryan Kankowski was caught off side at a line-out and Giteau put the Brumbies back in front and the visitors were unable to respond.
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